Fierce End-to-End Action

Leo Kang carried the ball forward a few steps.

His body tilted.

His arms swung.

He struck the ball.

His black jersey billowed in the gale.

The fully extended shooting motion brimmed with power.

The whole world knew he was about to shoot from distance.

Schalke 04's players had no time to close him down.

Joel Matip reacted first. He quickly dropped back into position, preparing to use his tall frame to block Bayer Leverkusen's number ten's thunderous shot!

Goalkeeper Ralf Fährmann took quick little steps to adjust his positioning, fully alert.

Before the match, Schalke 04's coaching staff had already figured out Leo Kang's shooting tendencies!

"He's shooting!"

"Can Schalke 04 stop it?"

"Huh?"

Andre Breitenreiter jolted in surprise.

He noticed that at the instant Leo Kang touched the ball, the shape of his foot changed!

It was not an earthshaking long-range blast!

The ball skimmed along the grass.

Spinning violently.

Like a sharp blade.

It pierced into the left side of Schalke 04's chaotic penalty area.

In an instant.

Joel Matip's pupils contracted.

A fake shot, but a real pass?

The moment Schalke 04's back line tried to block the long shot, gaps had already opened up.

Terrified eyes tracked the ball's path.

The weight, trajectory, and timing of that through ball were all perfect!

Just what kind of player was this Chinese kid?

There was no time for anything!

Son Heung-min slipped through unnoticed.

He passed it into the near corner with the inside of his foot!

Ralf Fährmann could do nothing!

He could only watch helplessly as the ball rippled the net!

0:1!!!

"Beautiful!"

"It's in!"

"An Asian connection!"

"A perfect through ball from Leo Kang! Son Heung-min finishes with a placed shot! The two have given Bayer Leverkusen the lead!"

"That goal will surely bring back memories of Asian players for Schalke 04's fans!"

China's livestream chat.

The comments flooded the screen.

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[Though I really dislike Koreans, Son Heung-min is great at taking chances and has exquisite finishing. He always feasts on the chances Leo Kang serves him.]

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[Leo Kang: Let me borrow your feet, kid.]

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[That fake-shot pass is really practical. I feel like Leo Kang has improved again. His balance and coordination have both gotten better. Which foot is actually his preferred foot?]

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[Memories of Asian players for Schalke 04 fans? Atsuto Uchida was insanely good back then. As for Hao Junmin, the club actually gave him plenty of playing time.]

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[Hao Junmin wasted a one-on-one sitter, Magath exploded with rage.gif]

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[Schalke 04's squad back then was stacked. They reached the Champions League semifinals. If Hao Junmin had chosen a lower-table club, he might have thrived.]

Veltins Arena.

At last, Bayer Leverkusen's fans could be heard cheering.

They sat in a small cluster in the corner of the stands.

Excitedly waving their team flags.

"Leverkusen allez!!!"

Leo Kang high-fived the diving Son Heung-min.

In this match, he had fully experienced the benefits of the Two-Footed Balance Module.

Whether it was physical duels, burst speed into space, or passing, most of his abilities had improved.

Bayer Leverkusen's teammates crowded around to celebrate with embraces.

Old Topp and Dino raised their fists high on the touchline.

Schalke 04's players were not overly dejected.

Joel Matip retrieved the ball from the net and consoled Ralf Fährmann.

Leroy Sane and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting exchanged a glance.

They shook their heads helplessly.

Both had experienced the consequences of going up against Bayer Leverkusen's number ten.

That kid's body was like it had a beast hidden inside.

By the pitch.

Andre Breitenreiter scratched his chin. "What kind of midfield player is that Asian kid supposed to be? Terrifying physicality, frightening power shots, exquisite passing..."

The assistant coach fell silent for a moment, then shook his head. "He reminds me of many players, but none of their templates fit this kid."

VIP box.

The girl in the wheelchair could not help applauding.

A hint of color appeared on her pale face.

"Contact his agent immediately! In another half-season, we might not even be able to afford his endorsement fee. All right, take me home."

The middle-aged woman nodded seriously, whispered a few words to the staff behind her, then pushed the wheelchair out of the box.

The match restarted from the center circle.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar kicked off and played the ball sideways to Leroy Sane.

Sane immediately pushed the ball forward in long strides and sprinted toward the right side of Bayer Leverkusen's half.

Christian Riether surged forward at high speed down the right flank.

Leon Goretzka stayed close behind the two, ready to provide support at any moment.

The entire right side of Schalke 04.

Formed an attacking unit.

The ball moved through two slick one-two combinations between the three of them.

Shaking off the pressure from Son Heung-min and Leo Kang.

The ball was quickly advanced deep into Bayer Leverkusen's half.

"Sane is so fast!"

"Look at the other side, Huntelaar! He's drifted wide to the left!"

"Choupo-Moting has switched into the middle!"

"Bayer Leverkusen will be under enormous defensive pressure for a while here!"

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[Schalke 04 are about to equalize. Their other attacking players are still really strong off the ball.]

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[Two teams strong in attack and weak in defense. Whoever defends is the sucker.]

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[I thought Leo Kang could defend against all three by himself.]

Kramer did not step in to challenge.

Instead, he used his positioning to first cut off Schalke 04's attacking link on the right.

Borges was left to make the tackle!

Leroy Sane did not slow down.

Facing Borges's interception.

His upper body began swaying from side to side.

His afro shook along with it.

"A one-on-one between Brazil's prodigy and Germany's prodigy!"

"Who will win?"

Smack!

Just as Borges stuck out a foot.

Leroy Sane used the outside of his left foot to nudge the ball forward.

And instantly slipped past his opponent's side!

The entire escape was incredibly clean, without a single unnecessary movement!

Only then did Bayer Leverkusen's defenders realize: this guy was not the flashy type!

Schalke 04's fans went completely wild.

Their academy prodigy always produced this kind of thrilling football!

Leroy Sane moved as though no one was there.

Driving the ball to the byline near the right side of the penalty area.

Jonathan Tah charged at him like a wild boar.

Leroy Sane looked up to check his teammates' positions.

Tap!

His right foot lashed viciously at the ball!

"A cutback!"

"The quality of the pass is excellent!"

"Sane truly is Schalke 04's super attacking prodigy!"

"He has torn through Bayer Leverkusen's entire right flank!"

Old Topp grew nervous.

He always felt that something was missing.

Although Bayer Leverkusen's coaching staff had already assigned their defensive matchups:

Papadopoulos was tight to Choupo-Moting.

Bender was marking Max Meyer.

Even Kießling had joined the defense, staying close to Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.

Schalke 04's late runners had all been locked down.

Who else was there?

On camera.

Schalke 04's center-back charged to the edge of Bayer Leverkusen's penalty area!

Joel Matip!

He strode forward on his long legs to meet the rolling ball!

Andre Breitenreiter could not help but raise his fist in celebration!

The atmosphere at Veltins Arena reached its peak at that very moment!