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

Logically speaking, Henk is already worth it.

These smaller, second-tier European clubs typically struggle to qualify for the Champions League group stage.

Even if they make it into the Champions League group stage, it will be difficult for them to advance beyond the group stage.

The club has only one goal.

I'm hoping to be drawn against one or two top teams in the group stage.

Other teams are trying to avoid being drawn into the "group of death," but a small club like Genk would love to be drawn into it.

This would mean three strong teams competing together.

Every time a strong team comes to their home stadium, it attracts ticket sales, tourism, accommodation, shopping, and dining, boosting the city's economy.

The club will also receive a substantial share of the broadcast revenue.

The knockout stage and qualifying are not important; making a fortune quietly is the true path.

Unexpectedly, Genk's fighting power has been off the charts this season.

They actually made it to the Champions League knockout stage!

Their opponent is Atletico Madrid, one of the top 3 most popular teams in Europe and a favorite to win the title!

The team also boasts one of the world's top three superstars, the highest-paid player in football history, a Belgian rising star, and a "Genk legend"—Lu Xiao.

Regardless of the outcome of the knockout stage, drawing Atletico Madrid is a huge win.

But this does not mean that Henk has surrendered.

18-year-old Jamaican striker Leon Bailey is full of fighting spirit.

After the match began, he repeatedly used his speed advantage to attack Atletico Madrid's defense.

Even if his teammates don't pass the ball to him, he will sprint whenever there is an opening.

Lu Xiao assisted Griezmann to score, and Genk fell behind, but he was not discouraged and continued to give his all.

In the 28th minute, he finally found an opportunity!

Timothy Castagne won the header in his own half, defended against Torres' attempt to get on the end of the ball, and headed it to Ndidi!

Ndidi has demonstrated the potential of a top-class defensive midfielder in the Premier League.

His strong body withstood Kirk's hustle.

He turned and launched a long pass, directly targeting Leon Bailey!

"We are indeed a weak team."

The moment we were drawn against Atletico Madrid, we were perhaps destined to be eliminated.

But that's no reason to give up!

No matter who you meet.

Everyone must be prepared to fight tooth and nail to win!

The football flew 40 meters and landed precisely on Leon Pelé's head!

It wasn't until then that Atletico Madrid's midfield and defense realized something was wrong!

They've become complacent!

Gabi gritted his teeth and sprinted after him, while left-back Felipe Luis also tried to win the ball back.

With two people attacking from the same side, it should be easy to defend against.

But Leon Pelé got there first, touching the ball with his toe.

With a gentle flick, it flew over Gabi's head.

He then cleverly turned, stopped the ball, changed direction, accelerated, and overtook Felipe Luis!

"Beautiful!!! Henk's counterattack was very threatening... Leon Bailey!!!"

"Go in!! Knock on the door!!"

hiss--

At that moment, Atletico Madrid fans almost all gasped in shock!

The black forward's moves look familiar!

This kid's got something!

"Am I about to become a hero?"

Leon Bailey was unmarked and broke into the penalty area one-on-one; his heart was pounding!

The goalkeeper rushed out of his goal to block the shooting angle.

Leon Bailey panicked slightly and hesitated before hitting the door immediately.

There aren't many good angles left to shoot from!

"hateful!!"

Just 0.2 seconds off!

boom--

A hasty shot was saved by goalkeeper Oblak, who stretched out his leg to block it out of bounds!

"Oblak!! A world-class save!! He saved Genk's deadly one-on-one chance!!"

"Ooh ooh ooh ooh—"

The home fans collectively buried their heads in their hands and uttered sounds of regret, followed by more than 2 people applauding in unison to celebrate 18-year-old Leon Bailey.

Exciting offense and defense!

Lu Xiao was full of praise after seeing it.

This black striker is something else; he almost equalized!

Regardless of whether Genk wins or loses, they showed the fighting spirit they deserve.

"Well done."

As Lu Xiao passed by Leon Bailey, he gave him a thumbs up.

The black striker chuckled sheepishly, revealing his large, white teeth.

"Lu, thank you. I'm a fan of yours, and I chose Genk this summer because of you."

"what?"

Lu Xiao was now dumbfounded.

Why are there little fans here too?

……

What he didn't know was that Leon Bailey did indeed choose Henk because of Lu Xiao.

His performance during his youth training period was mediocre, and he was not scouted by any well-known European clubs.

He played for youth teams in Jamaica, Austria, and Slovakia, but remained unknown.

Until Lu Xiao rose to superstardom at lightning speed, Leon Bailey was amazed by Lu Xiao's performance.

From then on, he practiced his kicking style like crazy.

When Genk extended an offer, Leon Bailey chose Genk without hesitation, even though it was just a small, run-down club in the Belgian First Division.

Because this is the team Lu Xiao looked forward to when he was young!

No one expected that the bargain signing of just 140 million euros would lead to Genk's complete explosion this season.

They finished first in the Belgian First Division A, advancing from the Champions League group stage to the knockout stage.

Leon Bailey was instrumental in the team's success, scoring 19 goals and becoming the team's top scorer.

Just now, Leon Bailey broke through Atletico Madrid's defense by taking on two opponents at once. His familiar dribbling move was exactly what Lu Xiao was imitating!

If he weren't so young and hadn't been mentally unstable, he could have scored on a one-on-one opportunity.

……

Taking advantage of the dead ball situation, Griezmann came over and made a joke.

"Your little fanboy?"

"I can't reach it!"

"His playing style is quite similar to yours; he must have imitated you."

and many more.

Griezmann suddenly realized that Leon Bailey was 18 years old, and Lu Xiao was also 18 years old!

They're the same age!

One is a newcomer from a second-tier European club.

A superstar who is already a star player for a top team, with the highest market value in the world!

All things considered, Lu Xiao is still the more extraordinary one!

"Oh shit."

Griezmann felt resentful again.

He once touted himself as a French football prodigy, but even Griezmann couldn't fool Lu Xiao.

"Lu, when we get back, you should teach me too. I'll become your apprentice, and from now on you'll be my master."

"Fuck off! Play seriously!"

Atletico Madrid had already kicked the ball out from their own half, and Lu Xiao didn't have time to chat with Griezmann.

Leon Bailey's attack just now has put Atletico Madrid on high alert, and they dare not be complacent in defending their own half.

The attacking trident of Lu Xiao, Griezmann, and Torres can be relied upon.

The three of them completed the task very well.

Just before the end of the first half, Lu Xiao made a lateral run in front of the penalty area, received a pass from Torres, and suddenly shot!

The confident "Tiger" pierced the Genk goal.

Atletico Madrid are leading by two goals!

In the second half, the two sides switched sides, and Genk still had no chance to fight back.

When Atletico Madrid gets serious, they can completely withstand the attacks from Barcelona and Real Madrid.

This is a pure difference in strength, leaving no chance for the opponent to pull off an upset.

The trio of Torres, Griezmann, and Lu Xiao are becoming increasingly adept at teamwork, and Saul is disrupting the defense on the right flank.

Lu Xiao found another opportunity, using a simple change of rhythm to create a gap, and accelerated to break through from the flank!

Surrounded by four players inside the penalty area, Lu Xiao was tripped and fell to the ground in the chaos.

Penalty!

Are you coming?

Griezmann is usually the first penalty taker.

"No, that's your penalty."

Griezmann passed the ball to Lu Xiao.

Lu Xiao didn't stand on ceremony with him and took the ball to the penalty spot.

Actually, he rarely takes penalty kicks. After scoring so many goals from open play, penalty kicks have become a bit boring for him.

Among Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, and Lu Xiao, the penalty/goal ratio is...

Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty kick percentage is as high as 19.71%, the highest among the three;

Messi has a penalty rate of 12.66%, second only to Ronaldo, and has scored a lot of penalties in recent seasons.

As for Lu Xiao... 0%!

Standing in front of the penalty spot, Lu Xiao looked very relaxed.

The old man took a slow, leisurely run-up, as if taking a stroll, and then opened the door!

The Genk goalkeeper was on edge, having already anticipated the direction of the save, otherwise he feared he wouldn't have been able to make the save.

however……

"Wow! A Panenka penalty!! A lob shot down the middle!!"

Seeing Lu Xiao's artistic penalty kick, He Wei slapped his thigh.

That's it!

An elegant, curved shot struck the underside of the crossbar and bounced into the goal!

A tribute to Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 World Cup final.

"Atletico Madrid lead Genk 3-0 away in the first leg of the Champions League knockout stage!"

"Led by Lu Xiao, they have one foot in the door of advancing to the quarterfinals!"