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

In the tactical conference room.

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair, his feet propped up on the edge of the conference table as if he were in his own living room.

Dressed in a suit and tie, he remained silent, his sleeves rolled up to reveal a full arm covered in tattooed runes.

The entire Atlético Madrid first team, numbering over 20, huddled in the meeting room, utterly silent.

The administrative assistant outside thought the meeting room was empty, but when he pushed the door open, it was packed with people. The assistant stuck out his tongue and quickly retreated.

The air pressure inside is too low; you can't stay there for even a moment.

The atmosphere in the meeting room eased slightly only after Simone spoke.

"We've already scolded you all, now let's calm down and continue our review."

"The new year has just begun, and this is your report card: 1 draw and 1 loss."

"To be honest, losing is good. Because if you didn't lose, would you guys be getting too big for your britches?"

As Simeone's pressure intensified,

The Atlético Madrid lads couldn't help but shrink back.

You promised you wouldn't curse anymore, so why are you cursing again?

"I won't say much about the Copa del Rey match against Rayo Vallecano. Anyway, it was a rotated lineup, so a 1-1 draw away from home is normal."

"We just need to come back and win at home."

"But look at the league standings, where have we gotten? Someone answer me!"

Simeone was furious after the first two matches of 2016.

The fifth round of the Copa del Rey: Atletico Madrid vs. Rayo Vallecano, a two-legged knockout match.

In the first leg, Rayo Vallecano drew 1-1 with Atletico Madrid.

That's fine.

In the 18th round of La Liga, Atletico Madrid suffered a major upset, losing 2-3 to bottom-ranked Levante.

"I'll read you some media reports, listen to how terrible your performance was!"

"As Marca aptly put it, 'Lu's brace wasn't enough to save the day; Levante broke Atletico Madrid's unbeaten record with three goals, and the title favorites delivered a disastrous performance.'"

"And this news from Mundo Deportivo."

Atletico Madrid suffered a shock defeat, proving that Messi is indeed La Liga's greatest star. Luka tends to disappear in tough matches and is not the team's savior...

"Listen to what Levante has to say. In an interview, the player mentioned that they don't feel much pressure against Atletico Madrid, far less than against Barcelona..."

Simone read a news article aloud from his phone, his mocking smile deepening.

The players lowered their heads further and further down, almost disappearing under the table.

It's fair to say that everyone except Lu Xiao has something to be blamed for.

Lu Xiao herself did not have the mindset of remaining uninvolved.

Every word Simone uttered felt like a bullet hitting him.

The whole team shares responsibility for the team's loss.

Lu Xiao also regretted that if he had handled those clear-cut chances in the game more calmly, he might have been able to lead his team to victory.

He admitted that several of his shots involved an element of gambling.

To put it bluntly, they didn't treat Levante, who were at the bottom of the table, like human beings.

With a 2-0 lead at halftime, Atletico Madrid relaxed their guard and started playing recklessly.

In the second half, Levante launched two miraculous counter-attacks to level the score at 2-2.

Even a clay figure can have a bit of anger.

Levante, being at the bottom of the table and treated like dirt by Atletico Madrid, were bound to explode.

They have the determination to fight to avoid relegation, but what does Atletico Madrid have?

Is the determination to win the championship enough?

Finally, his mentality crumbled a bit. In stoppage time, defender Jimenez failed to mark his man properly, and Levante scored a last-minute winner from a corner kick.

2-3

Atletico Madrid suffered their first defeat of the new season.

Lu Xiao took out his phone and checked the points leaderboard:

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

1. Barcelona – 51 points

2. Real Madrid – 49 points

3. Atletico Madrid – 49 points

4. Villarreal – 30 points

……

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

La Liga is that cruel. The top three teams play in the Spanish Super League, teams ranked 4th to 7th play in La Liga, and the rest are just easy wins.

In comparison, Atletico Madrid can even lose to bottom-ranked Levante.

I don't even want the points that are given away for free.

Why don't you want the fruit platter?

"puff."

"Lu, what are you laughing at?"

"It's nothing."

Griezmann was shocked. How could Lu Xiao still be laughing in this situation?

You're so carefree!

In reality, Lu Xiao simply had a sudden idea for a future comedy variety show flash through his mind.

Regarding the content of prophetic dreams, apart from the clear focus on football, there are occasionally fragmented memories interspersed elsewhere.

Good news, we are only 2 points behind Barcelona.

The bad news is that it will be difficult to catch up with those two points.

We reviewed the proceedings from the afternoon until late at night.

Simeone analyzed the game footage frame by frame, even down to whether each player should step with their left or right foot when defending or attacking.

"Filipe, you still haven't adjusted your defensive habits. When you instinctively step out like that, you easily fall behind your opponent by half a body length. That small difference can easily allow them to break into the penalty area!"

Simone turned to look at everyone:

"Each of you is the best player in La Liga, even in Europe. But the higher you go, the more you have to fight for these tiny differences! Understand?"

"Focus your attention! Be fully engaged in the game!"

"We've basically reviewed all the key points from today's match. Next match against Celta Vigo, if anyone makes a mistake again..."

The head coach's eyes were piercing, his gaze sweeping over everyone with the coldness of a Terminator T800.

"Regardless of whether you win or lose the match, you're going to the reserve team to reflect on your actions!"

……

"Why do I feel even more nervous than during my first tryout?"

"indeed."

"You were nervous during your first tryout? I saw you didn't even flinch."

"Nervous."

"No wonder, you couldn't tell at all."

2016, April 1.

They just finished playing in the Copa del Rey on the 5th, and less than 5 days later they're playing in the league.

Atletico Madrid fielded their full starting lineup.

Lu Xiao and his teammates stood in the player tunnel waiting to check in and enter the field.

Saul and Koke were chatting behind him, talking about their first trials from youth training to the first team.

Saul is quite active in the team; he can talk non-stop even when no one is paying attention to him.

Kirk was the complete opposite of him; he was a man of few words, unassuming, and straightforward with no ulterior motives.

He did all the dirty and hard work in the midfield and defense without ever complaining.

Whenever a conflict occurred during a match, Kirk was always the first to arrive at the scene and "join the fight."

"You two don't need to be so nervous. You're acting like complete novices just meeting the opposite sex, but you've probably been around countless times and tried countless positions before..."

Griezmann couldn't help but make a couple of sarcastic remarks.

"Ahem, get ready to go on stage."

Torres quickly stopped the Frenchman when he saw Griezmann making lewd remarks.

Be careful not to become a laughing stock in Celta Vigo's neighborhood.

"Lu, keep it up!"

"Okay, keep it up, Fernando."

Since joining Atletico Madrid six months ago,

Lu Xiao and former Atletico Madrid legend Fernando Torres did not talk much.

Compared to his close friendship with Griezmann,

His relationship with Torres was somewhat like a "gentleman's friendship, as light as water."

No need for many words; a single glance is enough for both sides to understand each other.

Before today's match,

Real Madrid beat Deportivo La Coruña 5-0, Barcelona beat Granada 4-0.

The two sides engaged in a goal-scoring contest, as if they were competing against each other.

If Atletico Madrid scores fewer than 3 goals, they'd be embarrassed to be associated with them.

"Come on! Let's get this party started!!"

"Vamos!!"

Before stepping onto the court, Lu Xiao, the team's core player, let out a rare, somewhat childish, roar.

Atletico Madrid's entire squad instantly joined the group!

"Vamos!!!"

The Celta Vigo players next door almost got into trouble.

Seriously, bro? It's just a league match, why take it so seriously?

Lu Xiao glanced at the Celta Vigo players out of the corner of his eye and clenched his fist.

Sorry, this has nothing to do with you today.

This is an internal struggle among the three giants of La Liga!

beep—

The moment the match began, everyone at Celta Vigo felt unprecedented pressure.

Several Atletico Madrid players charged forward like madmen, as if they had been injected with gunpowder!

"Stop them!!"

"Pass the ball! Pass the ball!!"

Reacting a fraction of a second too late, Celta Vigo's ball had already been stolen by Lu Xiao!

The [Cannavaro] template is perfectly executed!

"Antoine!"

"They're here!!"

A through ball with the outside of his left foot found Griezmann, who made a run forward to receive it. He feinted, stopped, and dribbled past one player before passing the ball back to Lu Xiao.

"Saul!!"

Lu Xiao anticipated his opponent's movements the moment he received the ball.

The 【Bee Joy Return】template proves its power!

He pulls the ball back with his right foot and turns, feigning a Marseille turn to dribble past his opponent, but actually, halfway through the spin...

A deadly through ball was unexpectedly delivered with a right heel, aimed directly at the right side of the ribs!

[Monster Pass]!

Lu Xiao currently has the only passing skill in the template.

The football sliced ​​through Celta Vigo's defense like a hot knife through butter.

Saul broke into the penalty area,

Torres made a diagonal run, received a cross from Saul, and calmly slotted the ball home from close range!

1-0!

It's only been 11 seconds since the start!

"hiss--"

"Fuck!"

A low shout came simultaneously from the locker rooms of the home teams at both Camp Nou and Bernabéu.

Messi/Ronaldo stared at the TV, feeling the pressure through the screen.

"Is this your true strength, Lu?"