Heavy breathing, a chest about to burst.
This was Lu Xiao's first real match with the first team in his professional career!
Even though it was just a warm-up match.
Before this, whether it was Genk or Bayern U18, Lu Xiao could only play against youth academy players.
The 22 players on the field were all children whose bodies had not fully developed, so Lu Xiao did not feel much pressure.
It wasn't until today that he understood a problem.
Why do most players only join the first team after 18 years old?
Why, when technical and tactical levels are similar, are there rarely players under 17 appearing in top League matches?
Any player under 17 who appears is bound to be a genius famous throughout Europe.
Today's warm-up match was against Freiburg.
Pre-season warm-up matches usually have no substitution limits; typically, starting players play 45 minutes in the first half.
At halftime, all 11 players can be rotated, allowing substitutes to get a feel for the game.
Lu Xiao was substituted on in the 68th minute.
At that time, Leverkusen and Freiburg were tied 2-2, and both sides were playing very intensely.
The outcome of a warm-up match is meaningless; it's more for evaluating players and testing tactics.
But losing is always unpleasant.
After Lu Xiao came on, he felt the intensity of a top League first team.
Just as he was about to receive the ball, he was collided with by a tough Freiburg defender and almost flew out.
His 16-year-old body was at a huge disadvantage!
“Tsk tsk tsk.”
After squeezing Lu Xiao out of position to clear the ball, the Black defender disdainfully glanced at Lu Xiao.
However, the referee quickly blew the whistle; the Black defender had used his hands and committed a pushing foul.
Lu Xiao's Leverkusen teammates were very supportive, rushing over to back him up.
“What are you doing? Want to fight?”
“You damn it!!”
“Hey! Bastard!”
Seeing so many people rush over, the Black defender immediately backed down, muttering curses.
“Lu, are you okay?”
“That guy really deserves a beating. If he dares to touch you again, we’ll teach him a lesson!”
Rolfes acted like a reliable big brother, trying his best to protect the only underage player on the team.
“Thanks, Simon, I’m fine.”
“Come on! Believe in your skills, you’ve got this!”
After more than a month of training, Simon Rolfes was increasingly amazed by Lu Xiao's ball control.
He could always stop the ball in an unscientific way and unexpectedly complete shots or crucial passes.
Rolfes had a premonition that this young man with an East Asian face was definitely a treasure Leverkusen had unearthed this year.
Perhaps he would become the cornerstone of Leverkusen's rise in the future!
He was very willing to help Lu Xiao.
However, Lu Xiao was not a child hiding behind his teammates; he was a sharp blade capable of posing a threat!
In the 77th minute, Lu Xiao finally found an opportunity.
Freiburg's attack was collected by the goalkeeper, and the starting goalkeeper, Bernd Leno, launched a long kick to the front.
The ball was too powerful, and it looked like it would fly into the opponent's penalty area, a wasted possession.
Almost the entire Leverkusen team gave up on offense, preparing to fall back and defend.
However, a figure in a Black jersey bravely rushed towards the opponent's penalty area!
“Lu!!”
“What is he doing?”
“So reckless?”
Lu Xiao actually intended to face the entire defense alone?
That's very difficult!
A 16-year-old player pressing high, Freiburg didn't pay much attention.
Just now, the number 5 Black center-back went to contest the ball, and everyone else had already spread out, preparing to attack.
The Black center-back also relaxed his guard; he didn't head the ball clear immediately but intended to wait for the ball to land and try a short pass to a teammate.
This would allow them to launch an attack more quickly.
As the soccer ball bounced off the ground, the Black center-back was about to control it.
Suddenly, a foot stretched out, skillfully hooking the ball away!
“What?!”
He actually snatched it?
It was the 16-year-old kid he almost collided with earlier!
The Black center-back immediately blocked Lu Xiao, preventing him from turning and breaking through.
But the next second, Lu Xiao actually flicked the ball up with his heel and ducked under from the other side!
【Anger Value 65%】
Nutmeg!
The Black center-back didn't even see the ball clearly; he was completely beaten, completely outplayed by Lu Xiao!
“Damn it!!! This guy!”
“Stop him!!”
The Freiburg defenders panicked, and another White center-back, 195cm tall, stepped forward, preparing to challenge physically.
Lu Xiao's small frame definitely wouldn't be able to push through.
Who would have thought that the young man with the East Asian face would, before the ball landed, flick the ball up with his toe again,
and at the same time, use the defender as an axis to complete a turn and dribble past him!
He had no intention of engaging physically!
Lu Xiao simply overwhelmed them with his technique!
“Beautiful!!!”
“Awesome!!”
“OMG!!”
Teammates on the bench and some warm-up match spectators were thrilled!
Lu Xiao's performance was truly outstanding!
【Anger Value 85%】
“Damn it!!! Stop showing off!”
The last full-back was enraged, making an unreasonable flying tackle, intending to keep Lu Xiao outside the penalty area.
The ball or the person, one must stay!
“Be careful!!”
“Watch out!!”
Teammates exclaimed.
If Lu Xiao were to be tackled, he would most likely get injured!
It would be too much of a loss for a 16-year-old to get injured, and in a meaningless warm-up match!
Teammates were all holding their breath for Lu Xiao.
Head coach Sasha and coach Hyypiä's hearts were in their throats.
At the crucial moment,
Lu Xiao noticed the flying tackle from the side, and his entire being quickly entered a mysterious state.
Everything around him slowed down; his breathing and heartbeat were exceptionally steady.
Under the effect of the 【Nagi Seishiro】 template,
Lu Xiao was calmer than ever before!
The fierce flying tackle seemed to be in slow motion, allowing Lu Xiao to calmly stop and pull the ball, move around the tackle's range, and at the same time, gently lift the ball with both feet!
At that moment, the entire warm-up match venue instantly erupted!
Lu Xiao actually used a rainbow flick to evade a fatal flying tackle! Leaping over the defender!
【Anger Value 100%!】
The moment he landed,
Lu Xiao drew his bow and aimed his arrow!
Unleashing a fierce volley—
“No way?”
“Ah?!!”
Lu Xiao's actions had already stunned his teammates.
Did he really pull it off?
Single-handedly dribbling past 3 players, tearing through Freiburg's entire defense!
Lu Xiao even took a volley shot, unleashing a beautiful blast!
Bang—
The soccer ball turned into a meteor, plunging into the net!!
2-1!
Leverkusen completed the comeback!
“Oh oh oh oh!!”
“OHHHHHH—”
“Goooal!!”
“So cool!”
Leverkusen teammates excitedly rushed towards Lu Xiao, surrounding him in a hug.
This felt less like a warm-up match and more like a Champions League final.
Lu Xiao himself didn't feel anything special,
but his teammates were going crazy, completely hyped up.
Only from an outsider's perspective could one feel the excitement and tension this goal brought.
Everyone was initially worried about Lu Xiao,
who knew this kid would actually blow past the entire opposing defense?
Too much of a show-off!
On the bench, Son Heung-min, who had been substituted off, was just drinking water.
Lu Xiao's incredible display almost made him choke on his water.
“Cough cough cough… So strong?”
“Looks like I was narrow-minded before?”
Son Heung-min was somewhat questioning reality.
The two coaches were also discussing Lu Xiao's performance.
“How about it, my judgment wasn't wrong, was it?”
Hyypiä was very proud.
Head coach Sasha Lewandowski had to admit that this kid indeed had talent.
But he couldn't bring himself to say it directly,
so he just lifted his head arrogantly.
“It's just a warm-up match, it doesn't count for much.”
“Then you still have to give him a chance.”
“Alright, he'll get playing time later, as long as he can maintain this form.”
Sasha Lewandowski was also very curious.
When it comes to an official match,
can Lu Xiao still be so stunning?