Manchester United's heir apparent, but can't play football.

Chapter 2 Shining Dream Theater?

Chapter 2 Shining Dream Theater?
Pre-match press conference.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal sat solemnly.

His chubby hand adjusted the red tie on his chest.

Reporters began asking questions enthusiastically.

As always, Lao Fan is easily provoked by reporters.

Even more outrageous was when this guy got into a heated argument, he actually picked up the tactics board and explained his pre-game strategy in detail, leaving the opposing coach completely bewildered: "Do you want me to take an open-book exam?"

Gradually, the Manchester United manager turned red in the face and began to angrily retort:
"Hmph, don't ask such boring questions. How many young players have I discovered?"

"Among all of Europe, I am the best at developing and transforming talented football stars."

"Why are you questioning me? Which newspaper are you from? How many championships do you have?"

"During my time coaching Ajax, I boldly used players like Kluivert, the Delpo brothers, Davies, Van der Sar, Overmars, and Reiziger! I also transformed Bergkamp and Rijkaard!"

"During my time coaching Barcelona, I improved the La Masia number 4 position and promoted young players like Xavi and Iniesta! Spain won three consecutive major tournaments, creating a dynasty. Do you know why?"

"During my time coaching Bayern Munich, I discovered Müller and Alaba, and changed the positions of Schweinsteiger and Badstuber! Do you know why the German team lifted the World Cup trophy this year?"

"You dare to slander me, thinking I won't let Li play? Bastards! I will definitely give him playing time as a substitute tonight!"

Old Trafford Stadium.

The place was packed with people, and every seat was taken.

The bowl-shaped stands had many people of East Asian descent.

Red banners printed with Chinese characters added an Eastern resonance to the shouts at Dream Theatre.

"Go, Li Luo!"

"The Dream Theater Never Sleeps: The Prologue to Li Luo's Legend!"

"The Future of Manchester United! The Future of Chinese Football! A Promising New Star!"

Li Luo sat on the bench, his eyes glazed over.

He had tried to adjust his mindset in the locker room, but at this moment, Old Trafford seemed to him like a roaring red behemoth, its imposing presence pouring down from all four stands like a flood.

I am so insignificant, like an ant being scorched by countless gazes.

Will I make a fool of myself like a monkey in a zoo tonight, surrounded by tens of thousands of people and countless people all over the world?

Damn, I'm terrified.

"Zhuangdianertai! Zhuangdianertai! We are now broadcasting live the first round of the 2014/15 Premier League season: Manchester United vs. Swansea City at home."

"The camera focused on Li Luo on the Manchester United bench."

"The Chinese genius's expression was calm, and his body language was composed."

"The Milky Way embraces me, and still waters flow deep."

"The pine breeze caresses my face, yet I remain as still as a mountain."

"The jade pot shines brightly, reflecting the pure heart within."

"."

"We can sense that he exudes the masterful qualities of legendary midfielders throughout history: calm and collected, with complete strategic planning."

The commentator's tone was excited, and he was filled with emotion.

Coach Zhang nodded repeatedly: "Hehehe, young players are usually very nervous when they are promoted to the first team for their first game, which often leads to mistakes, but it seems that Li Luo doesn't have this problem."

In the live broadcast room, barrages of comments were flying.
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Li Luo is so handsome, even I have to avoid him.
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【husband!】
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[I want to work as a cleaner at Old Trafford, what if Li Luo falls in love with me?]
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[Awesome! It's been many years since a Chinese player has competed in England, especially since Li Luo is wearing a Manchester United jersey!]
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[A beacon of Asian pride!]
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[The Prince of Dream Theater!]
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[His position is still midfield, the commander! The key player! The brain! The leader! The commander-in-chief!]
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[In the Asian Cup a few months from now, Li Luo will surely lead the Chinese national team to a resounding victory over South Korea and dominate Asia!]
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[Brothers, Manchester United is terrible right now, playing awful. I really don't want Li Luo to develop at Manchester United; he'd be better off going to a strong Bundesliga or Serie A team to grow and gain experience much faster through wins.]

Beep!
With the referee's whistle, the match officially began.

The cheers at Old Trafford grew louder and louder.

Li Luo sat on the bench, trying hard to observe everything happening on the green field: he couldn't figure out what was going on.

Completely incomprehensible.

I can't understand my teammates' positioning intentions, and I can't understand the changes in the formations of both sides.

I couldn't understand what the coaches in the command area were gesturing.

time flies.

The match has reached the 85th minute.

The LED screen in mid-air displayed a score that infuriated Manchester United fans: Manchester United 1-2 Swansea.

Boos erupted.

The bowl-shaped stands were filled with all sorts of curses:
"Fuck you, give me my money back!"

"Did the £1.35 million in transfer spending during the summer transfer window turn into a bubble?"

"Damn it, as a goalkeeper, De Gea is really pitiful!"

Command area.

Assistant coach Giggs, his face etched with anxiety, couldn't help but suggest: let "Angel" Di Maria play.

Van Gaal remained expressionless and ignored him, continuing to doodle in his notebook.

South Americans? He hates them the most.

Although Van Gaal always secretly cast his vote for Messi in every Ballon d'Or voting.

"Alright, Li's warmed up and he's back. Let him get ready to go on the field!"

"Okay, boss!"

"In the Premier League, you have to call me BOSS!"

When Li Luo heard Giggs calling his name, he was filled with despair.

There's no escaping it.

In the final stages of the match, he will finally make his Premier League debut.

Giggs took the vest, then bent down to tie the Chinese player's shoelaces, saying gently, "Don't be nervous. Play according to the plan I told you in the locker room: 4-2-3-1! You are the one in the very center of the '3'!"

"Time is running out for Manchester United. Don't waste time organizing, be bold and break through from the flanks."

Li Luo: "."

A lot of pressure.

In particular, the Manchester United coaching staff looked at him with great anticipation.

When the figure of the Chinese teenager appeared outside the center circle line.

Chinese football fans around the world were extremely excited.

The CTV5 commentator's tone also became hurried:

"Manchester United made their final substitution."

"Next up as a substitute is 18-year-old Li Luo!"

"A talented Chinese midfielder, a gem of Manchester United's youth academy, he carries the hopes of countless fans."

"After many years, China has once again appeared on the top stage of the five major European leagues!"

There was a wave of applause.

Tens of thousands of people cheered and applauded.

The camera focused on the sidelines: the Chinese boy and Mata high-fived and hugged, and stepped onto the Theatre of Dreams against the wind.

Li Luo was very nervous.

I was so nervous I could hear my own heartbeat.

Breathing rhythm is also difficult to adjust.

He tried his best to run and close the distance to the ball carrier on the other side, but he was like a lone boat adrift on the sea.

The football rolled rapidly on the grass.

Li Luo didn't know where to go next.

I don't know which way to go.

The night wind in Manchester was like a sharp knife, fiercely swatting at a headless fly.

Viewers in front of their televisions were instantly devastated, but upon hearing the narration, their hopes were rekindled in the blink of an eye.

CTV5 live broadcast room.

The commentator and Coach Zhang both sounded delighted:
"it is good!"

"Alright! Run with all your might!"

"The spirit of perseverance!"

"Li Luo's fighting spirit on the football field is worth learning from."

Gradually, Li Luo became extremely nervous, his body trembled, and he involuntarily slowed his pace.

why?
Why do I feel like my legs are made of lead, even though I have plenty of energy? I can't run anymore!
My breathing rhythm is becoming increasingly erratic.

I'm not running anymore. Let's just admit I've made a fool of myself.

What can I do?
If a huge crack suddenly appeared on the football field, Li Luo would jump down without hesitation.

In the eyes of all viewers
Is that kid taking a walk?

The commentator and Coach Zhang were utterly shocked:

"what?"

"This"

"The King of Football's Playing Style!"

"That's how a football king plays!"

"After the change of possession, Li Luo began to play like a football king!"

"Hehehe, he avoided many detours compared to Messi."

“Looking back at the recent World Cup, there was a match where Messi only ran 7.5 kilometers throughout the game, essentially strolling for a long time, yet he contributed 1 goal and 2 assists, orchestrating the most efficient attack with the least amount of running.”

"Break down the defense, observe the tactics, and read the game."

"Li Luo truly deserves to be called a genius midfielder; he has an innate understanding of tactics."

"Maintain control of the overall situation with composure."

"Strolling leisurely in the courtyard amidst the moonlit clouds, the wind rises even when the mountains remain still."

The Swansea coaching staff were completely bewildered.

What the hell?

What kind of abstract tactics is Manchester United employing now?
Head coach Gary Monk paused for a moment, then frantically gestured in the control area: "Don't get complacent! Mark Lee closely! Don't let him have any chance to touch the ball!"

The coaching staff carefully studied the video footage before the match: Li Luo is invincible in terms of physical strength. After receiving the ball in the frontcourt, he can dribble, make through passes, and distribute the ball. He is a terrifying presence with three threats.

The other side.

Giggs tugged at his hair in bewilderment.

What is Manchester United's heir doing?
Van Gaal frowned, then his eyes lit up: "Brilliant! Lee has drawn two Swansea defenders out!"

"He created the weak side for Manchester United!"

"Space Creator!"

"Blind! Damn it! Hurry up and make a long diagonal pass!"

Snapped!
A beautiful arc was drawn across the sky above the Dream Theater.

The football suddenly plunged into the open space on the left side of the Swansea penalty area!
"Rooney!"

"coming!"

"No stopping the ball! Volley!"

Wow! A miraculous save by the Swansea goalkeeper!

"fantastic!"

"In the final moments, Manchester United won a corner kick and almost equalized. The Red Devils haven't lost their opening Premier League match at home for 42 years since 1972!"

"Look at the replay of Manchester United's attack this time? Li Luo's movement?"

CTV5 live broadcast room.

The slow-motion replay showed Manchester United's attack.

The commentator asked intently, "Coach Zhang, what's your opinion?"

Coach Zhang took a sip of tea, his voice excited: "A very advanced style of play! Li Luo's movement and positioning! It has the feel of Cristiano Ronaldo. Top-level strategic thinking off the ball. He attracted two Swansea defenders with his feints, thus helping Manchester United create space on the weak side!"

"It's fair to say that 18-year-old Li already has the potential to become a superstar."

"The incredible creation of space could make him the sharpest sword in China."

Studio.
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[Oh, I see. I almost thought Li Luo couldn't play soccer! I was just thinking I should go up and play!]
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[That's so high-class, awesome! Wow, Li!]
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【Brother is so handsome.】
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【master.】
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Strategic planning and decisive victory.

Li Luo has never played football and doesn't know what the psychological battles between opponents in the Premier League are like.

Two Swansea players, who had come up close, were chattering incessantly, trying to distract the Manchester United prodigy with their menacing expressions and trash-talking tactics.

"Kid, don't move, or I'll cripple you."

"I'll break your leg."

In the history of the Premier League, many foreign players and young talents have been intimidated and lost their composure, resulting in frequent mistakes.

Even worse, several people were frightened and kicked to tears during Premier League matches.

Li Luo wasn't afraid. Instead, she raised her head and started chatting with the other person: Where do you live? How many people are in your family? Oh! You old Taylor have a daughter? She's about my age?
Chatting with them definitely lifted my spirits a lot.

Not so nervous anymore.

However, the two Swansea players would occasionally nervously spread their arms, grab their arms, and press their chests.

It only took a few minutes to kick.

Li Luo regretted putting his attribute points into heading, as he had virtually no chance to head the ball, and even if he did, he was too short.
The fourth official held up an LED sign.

Three minutes of stoppage time.

Manchester United cherished this corner kick opportunity and pressed their entire team into the Swansea penalty area!
Rooney placed both hands on Li Luo's shoulders and "moved" the latter to the back post position.

During this historical period, mid-to-lower-tier Premier League teams placed great emphasis on defending set pieces. Swansea manager Gary Monk once again issued an order: "Damn it, Lee is so short, you don't need to mark him closely when defending set pieces!"

"He's so short!"

"He can't head the ball!"

Based on the video footage, Li Luo's headers were terrible, and he had almost no ability to contest headers during set pieces.

Standing at 173cm, what kind of threat can he pose against the tall and imposing Swansea defense?
Corner flag area.

Blinder raised his left hand.

He then took two steps back, raised his arms and swung his legs.

Snapped!
The football lifted off the ground, spun violently, and flew towards the Swansea penalty area.

At their highest point, both sides suddenly leaped up.

Nobody managed to reach it.

The football dropped straight to the far post.
There stood a 'thin' Chinese figure!

Old Trafford fell silent for a moment.

Van Gaal's eyes widened.