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Bundesliga Matchday 32: Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. Bayer Leverkusen.
The dilemma facing the Bayer Leverkusen coaching staff was this:
They were still 2 points behind Bayern Munich in the league.
Bayer Leverkusen had to win as many games as possible whilst hoping Bayern Munich would falter.
If they lost even one match, their chances for the league title this season would be completely gone.
At the same time, the Champions League semi-final second leg was just four days away, an away match against Barcelona.
With two matches in a week and the main players suffering from excessive physical exertion, Bayer Leverkusen was highly likely to end up empty-handed, like a bear that breaks corn but gets nothing.
The most critical part was that, even if the coaching staff chose to give up on the league or the Champions League now, there was no guarantee they would win on the other front.
It was like going from a single-minded pursuit to being stuck between two difficult choices.
So, what to do?
They could only tackle both, and both had to be strong!
At such a time, instead of giving up proactively, it was better to grit their teeth and fight to the death!
Two hours before the Bundesliga Matchday 32 game, when the starting lineup was announced, all of Germany was stunned!
Bild Breaking News: "Bayer Leverkusen to play with full strength in both matches this week! Going all out for the league!"
Munich Evening News official tweet:
"Bayer Leverkusen is like a gambler who can't afford to lose, planning to go all-in at high risk of player injuries. Bayern Munich, with a 2-point lead, has a greater chance of winning the title!"
Berlin Daily official tweet:
"Bundesliga title odds in real-time: Bayern Munich 1:1.4, Bayer Leverkusen 1:5.28..."
Any odds starting with 1 means that, from the perspective of the public and bookmakers, Bayern's chances of winning the title are infinitely high, with almost no possibility of a comeback.
Mönchengladbach was a dark horse this season, crushing traditional powerhouses like Borussia Dortmund, Schalke 04, and Werder Bremen, rising to 3rd place in the Bundesliga!
Mönchengladbach vs. Bayer Leverkusen was a match between 2nd and 3rd place.
Playing at Mönchengladbach's home stadium, plus Bayer Leverkusen's two matches in a week, the two teams were evenly matched, Mönchengladbach even had a slight advantage.
Bayern Munich's opponent this round was Augsburg.
Augsburg was ranked 8th in the league, a stage where they had nothing to gain or lose, the outcome of the match was irrelevant to them, so the players played more relaxed.
Furthermore, Bayern Munich was playing at home, Bayern had no reason to lose.
They only needed to win this match, and Bayern Munich could already touch the Bundesliga title.
An ordinary Bundesliga Matchday 32 league game, instead, it turned into a "Bundesliga Title Decider" without gunpowder, yet full of suspense and lurking dangers!
"Let's put aside those off-pitch factors. And let's not worry about whether Bayern wins or not. The good news is we kick off first, so we won't be affected by the result of the other match. Just try to relax, and play to your usual strength. That's enough. I believe we are definitely much stronger than Mönchengladbach. Even if we don't win the title in the end, we fought hard, and we won't have any regrets..."
In the changing room before the match, hearing Sascha say this, Lance raised his eyebrows.
The phrase "fight until no regrets" sounded a bit unlucky. He remembered a certain esports team in the future using this as their slogan, but they always suffered crushing defeats when they went out to compete, often ending up "stuck in Wuhan."
Lance took advantage of the time before going out to quickly chug a [Normal Red Bull] from his inventory, to recover as much stamina as possible.
These two crucial matches this week were still relying on him!
"CCTV!"
"Dear viewers, you are now watching the focus match of the 2014/15 season, German Football Bundesliga Matchday 32. Mönchengladbach hosts Bayer Leverkusen."
"The home team, Mönchengladbach, is currently ranked 3rd in the Bundesliga, having essentially secured a Champions League spot; whilst Bayer Leverkusen is 2 points behind Bayern Munich, theoretically still having hopes of winning the title."
"For this reason, Bayer Leverkusen has fielded its full main lineup in the starting squad. Even though they are about to challenge Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final next midweek, Bayer Leverkusen still wants to try one last push in the league!"
"Main centre-back Van Dijk has suffered another muscle strain and is temporarily out of today's match. At the same time, Captain Rolfes has a minor knee injury and is also absent."
"Currently, Bayer Leverkusen's starting goalkeeper: Leno.
Defenders: Kimmich, Maguire, Antonio Rüdiger, Nathan Aké;
Midfielders: De Bruyne, Jens Hegeler, Lars Bender, Son Heung-min;
Forwards: Kießling, Lance!"
"Alright, the match has begun! Bayer Leverkusen takes the initiative with the kickoff!"
"It's worth noting that with Captain Rolfes not on the pitch, Vice-Captain Lars Bender did not wear the captain's armband. The captain's armband was worn by the third captain, Lance!"
It wasn't Lance's first time being captain anyway.
The last time he was captain, the media extensively praised him, making him the "youngest captain in the history of Europe's top leagues."
This time, Lance was familiar with the role, displaying a great general's demeanour on the pitch.
At the team's most difficult and critical moment, Lance became the team's guiding light, everyone's spiritual reliance!
"Mönchengladbach is playing at home, but they are all defending in a compact formation."
"Mönchengladbach's goals conceded this season are second only to Bayern Munich, making them one of the league's best defensive teams. Bayer Leverkusen will likely have to put in some effort to break through their dense defence..."
From the start, Mönchengladbach was well-prepared, appearing difficult to deal with.
All Bayer Leverkusen supporters were under great pressure, having originally expected a tough battle today.
Just when everyone was worried, the unexpected suddenly happened!
"Alright, Lance!! What a beautiful first touch and turn!! Left-footed shot!!"
"Oh oh oh oh oh!! That goal!!! It's in!!"
Duan Xuan's hearty chuckle rang out on the television.
"Just 2 minutes into the match, Bayer Leverkusen scores first!! Breaking Mönchengladbach's compact defence!"
"Lance's sudden cold shot from outside the box after a first touch and turn, surprisingly found the back of the net!!"
"At Bayer Leverkusen's most difficult moment, Lance stepped up again!"
"Home team Mönchengladbach 0, trailing by 1!"
Even Bayer Leverkusen's own players were surprised.
De Bruyne and Son Heung-min both looked incredulous, rushing over ecstatically to hug and celebrate with Lance.
"How did you do that? You're too strong!"
"Lance, you are my god!"
"I love you!!"
"Get lost, get lost, my orientation is normal!"
Lance hadn't even had time to make a celebratory gesture before being mobbed by his crazy teammates.
To break the compact defence, Lance's main template was [Nagi Seishiro].
That first touch and turn outside the box, in an instant, shook off two defenders, opening up a shooting angle.
The passive shooting ability that came with [Hyuga Kojiro], gave his long-range shot immense power, turning it into a straight line that pierced the goal!
All martial arts in the world, nothing is unbreakable, only speed is unbeatable!
It was just a pity that the [Hyuga Kojiro] template's fusion value remained at 45%, it hadn't increased even after the last match against Barcelona.
It seemed he needed to try to trigger an "epiphany" during a match to see any growth.
Lance was thinking about the system, but it didn't affect the match.
With a 1-goal advantage, Bayer Leverkusen played without haste, constantly pressuring Mönchengladbach.
Although Mönchengladbach was 3rd in the league, seemingly not far behind 2nd-placed Bayer Leverkusen, the actual points difference between the two teams had widened to 10 points!
Bayern and Bayer Leverkusen, these two teams had already formed a clear gap with other Bundesliga teams!
This was also reflected in the content of the match.
Bayer Leverkusen, after all, could fight the great demon king Barcelona for three hundred rounds.
Before the first half ended, another intricate attack, the ball was passed continuously, reaching De Bruyne.
De Bruyne made a diagonal run into the middle, using the classic cross-running pattern, and unexpectedly delivered a diagonal pass with the outside of his boot into the ribs!
Lance surged in from the back, and played a wall pass with Firmino, breaking into the penalty area!
Under the defender's pressure, Lance decisively took a shot from a tight angle!
Tiger!
Bang--
"Oh oh oh oh!!! It's in again!!! In the 42nd minute of the first half, away team Bayer Leverkusen leads 2-0!!!"
"They haven't given up! They are still making their final sprint towards the Bundesliga title!"