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Chapter 255 I'm Back!

Seeing the ball roll into the goal, Wang Lie did not slow down, but instead turned left. He was not going to run to the corner flag to celebrate the goal.

Instead, he turned around and ran towards Tyne's half of the court!

Vitini wanted to come up and hug him, but Wang Lie's turn caused him to miss his target—he thought Wang Lie was going to the corner flag area, but Wang Lie turned around and ran back.

He looked back.

Wang Lie not only dodged him, but when other teammates came up to hug him, he would try to get rid of them if he could, and if he couldn't, he would wave his hand to signal them not to come up.

Vitini initially thought Wang Lie was going to run to the coaching bench to hug and celebrate with head coach McNeil.

McNeil thought so too, so he specifically rushed from his seat in front of the coaching bench to the sidelines.

However, they soon realized that they had all guessed wrong.

Because Wang Lie didn't run to the sidelines at all.

He ran right up to the advertising board behind Tyne's goal, right in front of everyone, and then shrugged and spread his hands in front of the glaring slogan.

Welcome to the Champions League?

wrong.

Welcome back to the Champions League!
Yes, that's right.

I'm back!

※※※

"Hahaha!" Luo Jin couldn't help but burst into laughter when he saw Wang Lie run back to the banner to celebrate his goal.

"Wang Lie came all the way to celebrate in front of Lille's fans... Why did you guys provoke him? Haha!"

Actually, before the competition started, when Luo Jin saw the TIFO sign and this slogan, he had already thought to himself:
Has Wang Lie forgotten what kind of person he is after not participating in the Champions League for three years? They'd actually provoke him like this before the match...

Luo Jin was very happy.

I was happy for Wang Lie's outstanding performance, and also happy to see the Wang Lie I knew so well again.

We're back, really, everything's back...

Some people might criticize Wang Lie after the match for being petty and for deliberately coming back to antagonize Lille's fans.

But in Luo Jin's view, this is part of Wang Lie's character.

It is indeed easy to attract criticism.

But it didn't matter; Wang Lie didn't care, and neither did Luo Jin.

Hasn't Wang Lie always been like this all these years? Holding grudges, making countless enemies, and being disliked by everyone... With so many people disliking him, he doesn't care if a few hundred or a few thousand more come along.

He is not a perfect person, and Luo Jin does not believe that Wang Lie should be a perfect person.

He had lamented more than once that if Wang Lie hadn't had talent in football, he would have been a complete failure, unable to even make a decent living.

But Wang Lie's talent in football was so great that all his weaknesses became advantages that helped him achieve great success in the sport.

So when Wang Lie suffered so much criticism and cyberbullying last year, Luo Jin spoke out in his defense—don't pretend you don't know that what you're criticizing is exactly what you were praising him for when he was successful.

He's been like this for the past twenty years of his career, never changing. But just because he's performing poorly, you say he's suddenly become repulsive...

One or two hypocritically proclaim that "being a good person comes before playing football."

Luo Jin felt that these people were both bad and hypocritical.

Chinese football doesn't need a nice guy that everyone praises and likes; it needs a warrior who can lead the team to victory and then win every time!
Even if a soldier has this or that flaw, he is still a soldier!

※※※

When Wang Lie retreated from the penalty area all the way back to the midfield line to call for the ball, no one realized what this meant.

Even Renzo Pisano, who passed the ball to him, only thought that this might be an opportunity for Tyne to reorganize the attack. He never expected that it would end up with Wang Lie dribbling the ball alone into the dragon's den!

In terms of sheer number of dribbles, Wang Lie only beat two players with this goal. However, in terms of visual impact, it was just as stunning as goals that involve beating five players.

Lille actually did a very good job defensively in this instance.

They first prevented Tyne from quickly penetrating the heart of the territory on the flanks, and then took advantage of Tyne's back pass to reorganize, quickly establishing a complete three-layered defensive line.

Their defense had successfully forced Pisano to prepare to pass the ball back and proceed cautiously.

Both theoretically and practically, Lille's defense was impeccable and without any problems.

If football were merely a theoretical exercise, then Atlético Lille had successfully defended against Tyne's attack.

But football is not like that.

The human factor is the most important factor in a football match, more important than tactics and formations.

The players' performance directly determines the team's results and the outcome of the game.

Sometimes, no matter how ingenious your tactical arrangements are, they can't compare to a superstar's moment of brilliance.

This is why football is so exciting and so popular.

If football were merely a game of comparing strength on paper, it would never have become the world's number one sport.

Unlike Vitini, who remained motionless like a statue on the sidelines after scoring, Lille's head coach Youssef Chapchet was visibly excited this time.

"Damn it! Fuck it! Screw it!"

He stood on the sidelines with his head down, stamping his feet in anger and muttering curses under his breath.

The goal conceded wasn't due to any problem with him or his team.

It was precisely because his tactical arrangements were sound that Chapchet was so easily breached by this goal – I had done almost everything perfectly, yet I still conceded a goal, so what else could I do?!

If we have to nitpick, then we can only say that when Wang Lie retreated from the penalty area to the midfield line, Lille's striker Thiago Miranda failed to mark him immediately.

But this kind of accusation seems more like hindsight.

After all, back then, who could have imagined that Wang Lie, after receiving the ball at the center line, would be able to turn around and score a goal like a lone wolf charging into a dragon's den?

Normally, when a striker receives the ball here, he will choose to pass it out again.

As long as Miranda can hold his defensive position, it shouldn't be a big problem.

Miranda did the same.

It's too harsh to blame Miranda for the poor defense based on this goal conceded.

No one made a mistake, but we still conceded a goal...

Anyone would be broken down by this.

Taine's performance today was quite unexpected—not that he thought Taine, playing in his first Champions League match, would underperform due to nervousness, but he anticipated that Taine wouldn't be too nervous and would perform relatively normally...

But he never expected that Tyne's performance was not just relatively normal... it was an extraordinary performance!

In Tyne's exceptionally strong lineup, Wang Lie's performance also surprised Chapchett—in fact, before this goal, Wang Lie's performance was in line with Chapchett's expectations:
He performed well, scored a goal, and played a very important role in the attack.

He is indeed the strongest player in Tyne's squad, even though he is already thirty-eight years old...

But his performance on that last play completely exceeded Chapchett's expectations, and it also exceeded his age!
It's normal for a 38-year-old player to leap high in the penalty area and score, because relatively speaking, jumping ability is one of the physical qualities least affected by age.

Even a 38-year-old player can use his superb shooting skills to score into the corner of the goal; this is the sharp weapon he has honed through day and night training.

A 38-year-old player can still run into an open space where no one is defending, receive a pass from a teammate, and seemingly score into an empty net – that's the experience they've accumulated throughout their long careers.

However, a player dribbles past several people from the center line, accelerating, changing direction, and feinting... leaving everyone who passes him sprawling and falling as if he were in an empty field!
You're telling me a player like that is 38 years old?
Is he really thirty-eight?!
In his rage, Chapchett suddenly remembered that Wang Lie, at the age of thirty-eight, had indeed scored a similar goal before…

In the second round of this season's Premier League, Tyne will play away against Clayton Sports.

Wang Lie's first goal for the team was similar; he single-handedly broke through Clayton Athletic's entire defense, leaving a trail of players sprawling behind him...

So it wasn't just him who was helpless against him; the stronger Clayton Esports team was also helpless against Wang Lie.

Thinking about it this way, Yusuf Chapchet's resentment suddenly lessened considerably.

He looked up at the sky, letting out a long sigh as he released all the anger in his heart:
There's no solution...

What can you do if you have such an opponent?

※※※

On the field, Fu Xiaofeng, watching Wang Lie "slapping" Lille fans in the face, felt the same helplessness as head coach Chapchet.

Although they were only down by one goal, that goal was a huge blow to morale. It not only affected the team's morale but also the morale of Lille's fans.

Otherwise, why did they remain silent instead of responding with loud boos or curses to Wang Lie's celebration?

Clearly, even though Lille's fans were humiliated by such a beautiful goal, many still couldn't muster the courage to retaliate...

From before the match to during the match, Fu Xiaofeng knew how well his teammates were performing.

Although he was somewhat complacent before the match, he quickly realized the seriousness of the problem after his own reminders and the head coach's requirements.

Therefore, the team was not underestimating their opponent in their preparations; they took this match very seriously.

Then, including myself, everyone performed very well.

At least they played a normal game and didn't make too many low-level or outrageous mistakes.

Especially after falling behind by one goal, facing Tyne's relentless offensive, the team did not panic but held on together for a full ten minutes.

They then scored two more goals to complete the comeback.

While this performance may not be perfect, it's certainly not without its flaws.

Despite everyone's good performance, they are still behind in the score.

Because of Wang Lie's goal...

Three lines of defense couldn't stop him, how are we supposed to defend this ball?
Before the match, Wang Lie approached him, saying he would give it his all in the game and hoped he would too…

Wang Lie did indeed give it his all, and Fu Xiaofeng felt that he had also given it his all.

But with the score still the same, what can he do?

Wang Lie might even feel after the match that he didn't give it his all...

Fu Xiaofeng felt as if he were under the scorching sun, with no way to avoid it, and he was about to suffer from heatstroke.

※※※

Although Wang Lie didn't show up, it didn't dampen McNeil's good mood.

He laughed happily when he saw Wang Lie respond to the Lille Atlético fans.

However, he wasn't laughing about that; he was happy about something else:
"Cesar, look! This time we continued our attack after scoring, and we scored again!"

Yes, he was happy that Tyne didn't trip over the same stone twice.

What's gratifying is that Wang Lie's goal proves that his initial choice was correct.

In both halves, he encouraged the team to intensify their attack after scoring, and this second-half goal proved that the first-half deficit was simply bad luck.

As a head coach, what could be more fulfilling than seeing your decisions take effect?

Wang Lie's goal not only put the team back in the lead, but also boosted McNeil's confidence.

Varo was also pleased with the team's performance, but he was also surprised:

"The synchronization rate is absolutely 100%!"

McNeil didn't answer him, he just smiled.

Looking at his smile, Varo felt a pang of emotion.

Just a month ago, this young head coach was still doubting whether he was qualified to lead the team to realize the club's and Wang Lie's ambitions.

Now, however, he radiates confidence.

People used to say that Tyne's team was Wang Lie's team, and that they could win even if a dog was tied to the coach's bench.

This is also why McNeil doubted his ability to lead the team to victory.

Now it seems that this team belongs to Wang Lie, but also to Sam McNeil.

Just as Wang Lie said, the man in front of him is the most suitable head coach to lead this team.

※※※

Wang Lie scored in the 70th minute, which is actually a very subtle time.

Because both teams' players are at their lowest point in terms of physical condition.

Wang Lie's goal at this moment has made things even worse for the Lille Atlético players, who were already in poor physical condition and their morale has plummeted.

This was also a huge morale booster for the Tyne players, like a shot of adrenaline. Even with similar levels of exhaustion, this surge of energy could give them a significant edge over Lille...

Therefore, after the game restarted, the away team, Tyne, took control of the game's tempo and gained the upper hand.

Atlético Lille subsequently made some tactical changes in an attempt to regain the initiative.

But the results were minimal.

In the 85th minute, Fu Xiaofeng was substituted by head coach Youssef Chapchet.

Chapchet wanted the team's attack to be simpler and more direct, with crosses from the wings and headers from the center.

In this simple and direct tactic, Fu Xiaofeng's role is not as significant. In addition, the physical exertion at this stage is enormous, which causes his performance level to decline. It is indeed difficult for him to provide any support to the team if he stays on the field.

Fu Xiaofeng, who had been substituted, sat on the bench, panting heavily, and looked towards the field.

Although the game wasn't over yet, he had a strong intuition that his team would lose at home.

Just like when he lost to Wang Lie in the competition for the national team.

The ending was even written before the competition began...

How dare fireflies compete with the sun and moon for brilliance?
※※※

Harry Collins in the stands was tense from the moment the fourth official held up the sign indicating seven minutes of stoppage time on the sidelines.

He was not only nervous about the team's game progress.

They were also worried about Jon Berg's health.

I'm only thirty-three years old and I already feel like my heart can't take it. How can Mr. Berg, who is over seventy, possibly withstand it?

He would glance at old Berg from time to time, noticing his changes.

Halfway through injury time, Berg suddenly grabbed his hand.

Collins was startled—he thought Mr. Berg was about to give up—but then he heard Mr. Berg ask him in a trembling voice, "Harry, are we going to win?"

He turned his head to look over.

Mr. Berg did not look at him, but looked towards the field.

Just when he thought he was hallucinating in the noisy stadium, Mr. Berg asked again: "Are we going to win our...first Champions League game?"

“I don’t know, Mr. Berg…” That was all Harry Collins could say.

He didn't know the outcome beforehand, and although he hoped to win, he was just too nervous now.

In the final moments of the match, Atlético Lille pressed forward with all their players, attempting to secure a draw against Taien.

Under these circumstances, it's not impossible for Atlético Lille to actually equalize.

Even if they were tied by Lille, considering that this was Tain's first Champions League match in history, and it was an away game... even if they only managed a draw with Lille in the end, it would still be a perfectly acceptable result.

But Harry Collins, who watched the game live, felt that it would be unacceptable and frustrating if the opponent tied the game in the final moments.

If you can win, who would willingly accept a draw?

Berg didn't expect his question to be answered, because he knew no one could answer it for him.

Only time.

The final answer will only be revealed when the game time expires and the referee blows the final whistle.

Finally, at the 98th minute and 11th second of the game, amidst a chorus of boos, the referee blew the final whistle!

The score remained unchanged after Wang Lie scored, ultimately settling at 2-3.

Away team Tyne defeated home team Atlético Lille!

"Aaaaaah!! Hahaha! We won! We won!!"

Jon Berger turned and hugged Harry Collins, his white hair disheveled amidst the clamor of Asker City Stadium.

(End of this chapter)