Soccer: Maxed-out ball control, the skill is too overpowered.

"So, Roma isn't considered a strong team?"

Seeing that the fusion value had not changed, Lu Xiao carefully considered the pattern of the previous increase in the fusion value.

Last season, the fusion value was easy to increase, mainly because it was the first time participating in the Bundesliga and they were unfamiliar with the Bundesliga teams.

Furthermore, as a 16-year-old newcomer, challenging the intensity of the Bundesliga is a test for Lu Xiao.

Following last season's championship win, coupled with Lu Xiao's improved skill level, match experience, and training,

Most Bundesliga teams no longer pose much of a challenge for Lu Xiao.

In matches against weaker opponents, the fusion value will hardly increase.

Furthermore, only top teams like Liverpool and Real Madrid in the Champions League can achieve growth.

Furthermore, growth is directly related to the importance of the match.

The intensity was high enough during the World Cup, and the growth was relatively rapid.

The Champions League group stage was less intense, and Real Madrid did not field their full strength, resulting in a relatively slow improvement.

When facing Roma, the system simply doesn't recognize Roma as a strong team.

"Could it be...?"

Thinking about it another way, since even the system feels the competition intensity isn't enough to increase,

Lu Xiao is very likely scaring himself.

The opposing team's lineup looks intimidating, but is it actually quite vulnerable?

Lu Xiao wasn't quite sure, so he decided to test the waters first.

With the referee's whistle, Roma kicked off first.

CCTV commentator Duan Xuan was still reading out the starting lineup.

"The home team, Bayer Leverkusen, rotated their squad in the Bundesliga match three days ago and were held to a draw by Freiburg. For today's Champions League group stage match, they fielded their strongest lineup."

Goalkeeper Leno,

Defenders Hilbert and Harry Maguire, with Rudiger returning from injury to start at left-back Nathan Ake.

The midfield consists of two holding midfielders, with Rolfes partnering with Lars Bender.

Son Heung-min on the left, De Bruyne on the right, and Lu Xiao anchoring the attacking midfield position.

The lone striker remains the highly versatile Firmino.

"Looking at Roma's lineup, they've fielded a 4-3-3 formation."

Goalkeeper, Skorupski;

The defense line was lined up in a row: Maicon, Manolas, Mbiwa, and England veteran Ashley Cole.

Midfielders: Pjanic, Keita, Nainggolan.

The attacking trident consists of Florenzi, Totti, and Gervinho…

"Number 10 Totti, the 38-year-old captain of Roma, is still a regular starter in the Champions League..."

Duan Xuan was about to talk about this legendary star, a model of one man, one city.

An unexpected incident occurred on the field, abruptly ending his introduction.

"Huh? Let's take a look at this ball first!! Son Heung-min, overtook Maicon on the outside!! Cut inside and cut back, then cross with his right foot!!

Lu Xiao —

Wow!!! I got the ball!!!

Just one minute into the game, the home team Bayer Leverkusen launched a counter-attack and took the lead!

1-0!! Bayer Leverkusen takes the lead!

Lu Xiao's run from deep was brilliant! His perfect first touch fooled the defender, and he unleashed a powerful right-footed volley into the net!

If Robin van Persie is the king of volleys without stopping the ball,

Lu Xiao is the king of volleys after controlling the ball.

His most common way of scoring goals is to use his superb ball control in the penalty area to unexpectedly shake off the opposing defenders and create a surprise shooting opportunity.

He flicked the ball with his toe to the other side, then unleashed a right-footed volley—he should have been heavily marked.

Clearly, Rome hadn't done its homework.

……

As it turns out, Rome didn't take Lu Xiao seriously enough. Whether it was arrogance or they didn't expect Lu Xiao to be so formidable, it's hard to say.

Less than 10 minutes later, Leverkusen launched another counterattack from the left flank!

"Son Heung-min!! He seemed very confident against Maicon, forcing his way through!!"

Maicon, once hailed as the "world's best right-back," was a key player in Inter Milan's five-trophy haul and a formidable defensive stalwart on the right flank for the Brazilian national team.

After being blown up by "Great Sage" Gareth Bell, his Dao heart was shattered, and his decline was quite dramatic.

Later, Maicon left Inter Milan in disappointment, and fans who don't follow Serie A have almost never seen him since.

Maicon has been quite diligent at Roma and has regained some of his form.

But he's far from his peak.

In addition, Son Heung-min is in his prime, with outstanding physical qualities, explosive power, and a certain level of dribbling skills.

Maicon was blown up by Son Heung-min for the second time, who drove straight in!

Son Heung-min's pass unexpectedly placed De Bruyne in the attacking midfield position, prompting a defender to pounce on him.

This resulted in a weak right-side defense zone.

De Bruyne curled a shot with the inside of his foot, and Firmino made a run in the penalty area to draw the defender away.

It seemed the pass had gone astray.

Unexpectedly, the figure in the black jersey reappeared!

"Lu Xiao!!! Unattended!!"

He perfectly deflected De Bruyne's curve with his left foot and precisely positioned it to the right front of his body, in the most comfortable position for a shot!

Lu Xiao's shooting was even smoother and more fluid than during shooting practice on the training field. He aimed and unleashed a powerful shot from a tight angle!

"Goal! Second goal!!"

"Scoring 7 goals in 3 Champions League group stage matches!! Lu Xiao is far ahead in the Champions League top scorer list!"

The entire Roma team was completely dumbfounded.

It's one thing to be thrashed by Juventus in Serie A, but it wouldn't be a big deal to lose to Real Madrid and Liverpool either.

This time we were drawn into the group of death.

Roma's only goal is to secure a narrow victory or a draw against Real Madrid.

They need to steal victories from Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen to grab enough points to advance to the knockout stage.

Bayer Leverkusen is clearly the easiest target.

Unexpectedly, this pinch pierced through both hands; Rome was the softest persimmon in the group!

……

"De Bruyne, move to the middle and calmly pass through!!"

Firmino's brilliant backheel pass...

"Lu Xiao!!! He stopped abruptly with his heel!!! He's in!!"

"Hat trick!!! 3-0!!!"

Duan Xuan smiled like a simpleton.

Watching Lu Xiao's performance in the penalty area is simply a feast for the eyes.

Who can control the ball with their heel when they are surrounded by three players in the penalty area?

Not only did he control the ball through Manolas's legs, but he also dribbled past him and poked the ball into the net from close range to score!

17-year-old Lu Xiao is unusually calm for a player his age. Even Filipe Inzaghi isn't this good.

They led 3-0 after 30 minutes of the first half, averaging a goal every 10 minutes.

Roma has been completely crushed by Bayer Leverkusen.

The outcome of the match was decided early on.

……

"Match ends! Bayer Leverkusen thrashes Serie A runners-up Roma 5-0 at home!"

With three wins out of three, they are currently leading Group C!

Lu Xiao achieved four top honors!

Leading the scoring charts with 8 goals!

Looking at the top scorers list, Duan Xuan found it unbelievable.

Messi, Suarez, and Neymar—Barcelona's strongest attacking trio—only managed a combined 8 goals.

Lu Xiao alone is equivalent to three members of Barcelona's MSN trio!

Leading by a huge margin in the top scorers list!

"If Leverkusen can maintain their dark horse momentum from last season, Lu Xiao can also maintain his current form."

It seems the Champions League Golden Boot award this season is practically a foregone conclusion!

Who said Lu Xiao was going to hit the rookie wall?

As it turns out, the rookie wall has been shattered by this young Chinese man!