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

Chapter 423 Something seems off about the European Cup.

Belgium fails to win in two warm-up matches; Lu Xiao's addition cannot save the team.

Suspected internal strife? Clashes reported between Belgium's old and new No. 10 numbers.

Breaking News! Belgian twin brothers turn against each other, potential brawl on the football field.

Experts predict that Belgium's performance in the European Championship may fall short of expectations.

Sky Sports reports that with the 2016 UEFA European Championship in France just around the corner, teams are actively preparing.

The Belgian team, which has been the focus of much attention recently, has had a rather unsuccessful preparation.

The two losses in the warm-up matches may become the trigger for internal strife.

The Belgian team, hailed as a golden generation by European media, currently boasts superstars such as Lu Xiao, Hazard, De Bruyne, and Lukaku, but their actual performance in matches has been less than satisfactory.

Head coach Wilmots subtly suggested that the team, composed of many well-known young stars, has yet to find the unity it had in the 2014 World Cup.

As each player gains fame, they may undergo various changes.

Although naturalized player Lu Xiao scored a hat-trick in the past Champions League final,

But football is a team sport, and Lu Xiao was unable to make the disorganized Belgian team fight effectively.

According to predictions from experts in media outlets such as The Guardian and The Sun,

In this World Cup, Belgium will likely struggle to overcome powerhouses like France, Portugal, England, and Spain, and may only manage to reach the quarterfinals…

When I saw this European Championship preview report from Sky Sports,

Lu Xiao almost burst out laughing.

He even showed the phone to De Bruyne.

"Kevin, are we fighting amongst ourselves?"

"They've fallen out."

Kevin De Bruyne nodded.

"..."

Lu Xiao looked at him speechlessly.

Don't let De Bruyne's honest appearance fool you; he's a straightforward guy who blushes and gets very serious when he's excited, putting pressure on even his teammates.

Actually, this guy is quite quirky in private.

On the contrary, Hazard, who seems flamboyant, is actually quite Zen.

Everything is fine, except for one hobby: slacking off.

My favorite catchphrase:

"Lu, stop practicing, let's go play golf."

Since learning that the training base has a golf course,

Hazard is a bit obsessed with golf.

The Belgian national team coaching staff forbade him from playing golf, while Hazard preferred to take Lu Xiao cycling, fishing, and barbecuing...

In short, he wants to do anything as long as he's not training, just like a primary school student who doesn't want to do his homework.

Lu Xiao couldn't help but shake his head.

How could these two be fighting amongst themselves?

Rumors are circulating that Belgium is becoming like the Netherlands and France, teams known for their internal strife.

However, they played very poorly in these two warm-up matches.

Lu Xiao felt that something was wrong, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what the problem was.

The key is,

With the European Championship about to begin and the schedule a bit tight, the Belgian team doesn't have much time left to adjust.

……

On the evening of June 10, 2016, Paris time.

At 3:00 AM on June 11th, in the Eastern Time Zone 8,

The UEFA European Championship officially kicks off in France!

Host nation France fielded their strongest lineup.

Lu Xiao watched the game together with his teammates De Bruyne, Hazard, Kompany, and others on a projected screen at the training base's bar.

"Is this Griezmann your brother? Is he good?"

"To be honest, that's pretty impressive."

"Oh?"

De Bruyne raised an eyebrow.

He certainly knew Griezmann was impressive, but hearing Lu Xiao say that, it seemed he really was something.

De Bruyne couldn't help but compare himself to Griezmann.

France vs. Romania

The opponent was a third-rate European team, and the powerful French team dominated the game effortlessly.

The midfield includes Pogba and Kanté.

Ahead of them are Benzema and Giroud.

Griezmann was playing exceptionally well, constantly weaving into dangerous areas.

"pretty!!"

In the footage, Griezmann breaks through on the left wing and delivers a lobbed pass.

Giroud scores with a header!

1-0!

Soon after, Griezmann and Pogba combined perfectly in the middle of the attacking third, with Griezmann receiving the ball just outside the penalty area and delivering a through pass.

The ball pierced the defensive line and was met by Benzema, who unleashed a powerful shot.

2-0!

Griezmann continued his sharp dribbling in the second half, backheeling a pass to Pogba inside the penalty area.

Pogba's long-range shot blasted through the net.

3-0!

Griezmann, who completed a hat-trick of assists, was substituted off in the 83rd minute to rest.

The coaching staff hopes that more young people will get experience.

France won thanks to Griezmann's outstanding performance, as well as contributions from Benzema, Giroud, Pogba, and others.

4-0 thrashing of Romania!

Lu Xiao remembers that in his dream, the French team had a rather difficult opening match.

Unexpectedly, they gained an overwhelming advantage.

The local French commentators were practically celebrating the New Year:

"Great France! They really look like champions!"

"Griezmann had an MVP-caliber performance today!!"

Atletico Madrid, the treble winners last season,

Lu Xiao stole the spotlight, and many people overlooked Griezmann's level.

Only today have they realized the seriousness of the problem.

Overnight, teams from Portugal, Spain, England, Germany, Croatia, and others began to study Griezmann.

Antoine Griezmann, who was named MVP of the match, was very humble afterward:

"Actually, my job is similar to Lu's at the club. He usually helps his teammates share the burden. I have learned a lot from him, and I am very happy to be able to help the national team share the heavy responsibility today."

The headlines of major media outlets are all praising the host team, France, as if they are truly the favorite to win this year's European Championship.

Unexpectedly, not long after the match, Griezmann even sent a message to brag about it.

"So, did you watch the game? Lu, try your best not to get eliminated. Let's aim to meet in the finals."

"Here's what I'm telling you! Watch out, you guys might get eliminated."

Lu Xiao shook his head.

According to the original timeline, the French team ultimately fought their way through the competition and actually made it to the final.

They were simply defeated by Portugal, who sacrificed Cristiano Ronaldo.

With Lu Xiao involved this time, the outcome is truly unpredictable.

"Guys!"

After watching the game, Lu Xiao and his teammates were just getting ready to go to sleep.

Belgium's head coach Wilmots and his coaching staff came in and gave everyone a tactical review session.

"We don't have much time left. Let's emphasize the issues within the group one last time today. Everyone needs to listen carefully!"

I mean everyone!

Wilmots is usually very good-tempered.

But no one dared to really provoke him.

So Hazard wanted to slack off and secretly wear headphones to listen to music.

Seeing the coach's serious expression,

He awkwardly took off his headphones.

"Although we are a top-tier team this time, we should not underestimate our opponents in the same group."

"Italy, Sweden, and Ireland are all very strong!"

"Our first opponent is Sweden. I don't need to elaborate on how strong the defense of Nordic teams is."

Now let's review the specific offensive tactics...

Wilmots then picked up the tactical board and started writing and drawing on it.

"Hazard, you're doing this..."

"Kevin, you can cross the ball more from the right side..."

"And Lu, you can try to break through like this, or pass the ball..."

……

Three days later, Nice Stadium.

Following the head coach's tactical plan, Lu Xiao dribbled the ball and attempted a strong breakthrough through the middle, while Hazard on the left and De Bruyne on the right were already making runs and cuts.

But the problem is,

Their positioning was too obvious, and the Swedish team anticipated it perfectly.

This leads to blocked passing routes.

Lu Xiao had no way to send it over.

"No way, you two didn't run like that in the 14 World Cup!"

How did you end up spending a whole season at Atletico Madrid?

Instead, they can't coordinate with their teammates anymore?

Time: 88th minute of the second half!

Score 1-2!

Belgium's highly anticipated golden generation is now trailing Sweden by one goal!

Is the first match of the European Championship going to end in defeat?

Belgian fans didn't think anything of it yet.