The perfect center forward: Becoming a soccer king from the corner of Chuanu Chapter 237

After the Champions League draw, Lucia was interviewed by sports media in Nyon, Switzerland.

“Lucia, congratulations on scoring 105 goals in 2018. Do you consider yourself the greatest player in history?”

Sports journalists are keen to create such topics, after all, the previous peak showdowns between the two GOATs had made sports media a fortune.

As an athlete, after achieving such impressive results, one must bravely take responsibility. The confidence of a GOAT must be fully demonstrated. As for whether it would sound strange coming from his own mouth?

As long as he delivers even more convincing results in the future, there will be no objections.

“Goal statistics don’t lie, the answer is obvious!”

“I think I am the most well-rounded player in history, that’s my opinion~”

“Who you like is a personal preference, but if anyone says Lucia isn’t well-rounded, that’s a lie.”

“I’m good at headers, good at free kicks, strong with my right foot, good with my left foot, fast, strong, and have amazing jumping ability.”

“So there’s no doubt I’m the most well-rounded!”

“To be honest, I’ve never seen a better player than me, that’s what I truly believe.”

The reporter, not satisfied with the bombshell answer, also asked Lucia about his relationship with Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who were absent from the Ballon d’Or ceremony.

“I have never had a bad relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi. On the contrary, we are all fighting for our respective clubs and national teams.”

“We promote and inspire each other. Just like Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic in tennis, they push each other to grow.”

“Being able to deliver such a perfect performance this year is also thanks to meeting the two GOATs last season. I hope to continue to compete in the new year~”

The highly anticipated Double Red Derby had not officially begun, but news of Lucia’s interview had already swept the globe.

In Turin, Cristiano Ronaldo sneezed a few times after seeing the headline. In Barcelona, Messi smiled silently, thinking of his historical best salary…

Lucia: I am the greatest in history, if you don’t believe me, look at this year’s goal statistics!

—[Well deserved, defeated Real Madrid in the Champions League to reach the top, defeated the All-Star French team in the World Cup, personal record surpassed 91 Messi!]

—[Self-proclaimed GOAT, absolutely hilarious -.-]

—[I have never seen such a shameless person!]

—[Messi is top-notch in passing, dribbling, and shooting. You’re just a poacher, how dare you say such things!]

—[Don’t shout upstairs, isn’t his performance in 2018 enough to be crowned GOAT??]

—[He didn’t even win the league title at Manchester United, how dare he proclaim himself GOAT?]

—[Exactly, Liverpool should try to win this Double Red Derby and let the Blue Moon Corps lift the Premier League trophy again!]

—[No need to say what kind of people are upstairs, just noisy neighbors!!]

As one of the top figures in football, Lucia’s related news continued to dominate the trending topics. And in this noisy atmosphere, the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United officially began.

The clash between Liverpool and Manchester United, the two most influential teams in English football history, is also known as the Double Red Derby.

The rivalry between the two teams began in the early 20th century, and as they achieved success in domestic and international competitions, the antagonism intensified.

Liverpool dominated England and Europe in the 1970s and 1980s, while Manchester United rose in the 1990s and early 21st century, especially under the leadership of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Adding to the historical and cultural origins, the Double Red Derby is not only a competition in football but also reflects the historical, economic, and cultural rivalry between the two cities.

…..

On December 17, 2018, in the press conference room at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool, Red Army manager Jürgen Klopp spoke first.

“Unfortunately, Matip and Gomez will miss this game due to injury. Alexander-Arnold is also injured, but his situation is not as serious as the first two, but this is still not good news for our defense.”

“But this is football, injuries are part of the game, and we will deal with them actively. My job is to find solutions, and there are other players in the team who can step up and take on the defensive responsibility.”

“This game, like every game we’ve played, has only one goal, and that is to win with all our might. The Double Red Derby has significant historical meaning, carrying the deep heritage of both teams and the passion of the fans.”

“At Anfield, we will let our opponents know our strength. This season’s Premier League is no longer a two-horse race between the two Manchester teams. Liverpool is ready to taste the long-awaited English top-flight title!”

Liverpool’s squad depth meant they were bound to encounter a wave of injuries during the Christmas period. The good news was that all three of the Red Arrow trio in the front line were in good form.

The microphone was then handed to Mourinho, whose speech directly hit Klopp’s sore spot. Last season’s double victory over their opponent could establish a huge psychological advantage for his players, even at Anfield.

“In previous clashes with Liverpool, we had good results, and these experiences gave us confidence.”

“Of course, the past is the past. This game is a new beginning, and we will put the past behind us and focus on the present. Liverpool’s performance this season is obvious to all. Their offensive firepower is strong, and their defense is also relatively solid, which is undoubtedly a huge challenge for us.”

“But we have the greatest player in history. I believe Lucia can break through the Red Army’s defense, deliver a heavy blow to the opponent, and show his superstar style~”

While referencing historical results, the Portuguese coach also cheered on his disciple. There was no doubt that Lucia, combined with his defensive counter-attacking tactics, was a match made in heaven.

….

Under the starlight, Anfield Stadium was packed, and the seventeenth round of the Premier League was about to begin.

“Hello everyone, PPTV viewers, I’m your host Zhan Jun. Tonight’s Double Red Derby will be commentated by me and Teacher Zhang Lu.”

“Hehe, I’m Zhang Lu.”

“This season’s Double Red Derby has finally returned to its previous glory. Currently, both Manchester United and Liverpool are undefeated, and they are only four points apart in the standings. The Red Devils lead with 15 wins and 1 draw, accumulating 46 points; the Red Army follows closely behind with 13 wins and 3 draws, accumulating 42 points.”

“If Manchester United wins this game, they will secure the Premier League half-season championship one round in advance, while Liverpool can narrow the gap between the two teams to one point, needing only one win to overtake.”

“In this match, both sides are firing on all cylinders in attack. Liverpool’s Red Arrow trio are all present, with the specific information as follows:”

“And Manchester United is also not to be underestimated. The away team has this year’s strongest single-core superstar Lucia, with the Belgian little beast, who can play both wide and central after losing weight, beside him, and the offensively talented French midfielder Pogba behind him.”

Mourinho’s 3- 5- 2 formation appeared on the big screen as the broadcast cameras showed it.

Forwards: Lucia, Lukaku

Midfielders: Luke Shaw, Pogba, Matic, Herrera, Darmian

Defenders: Lindelof, Maguire, Bailly

Goalkeeper: De Gea

“Although Manchester United currently holds firmly to the top spot in the league, this game will not be easy for the Red Devils, because Anfield Stadium, where they are currently playing, is a football holy ground that naturally radiates miracles.”

Commenting on Liverpool’s matches already made Zhan Jun excited, let alone this was the Double Red Derby, and Liverpool was currently in excellent form with five consecutive wins.

“Immortal legends sing hymns of never giving up, and fiery blood condenses into an indelible chapter!”

“Forged from desperation, reborn from darkness, fate has placed them in peril, but they always bloom with the miraculous light of defying destiny! The red gene of never giving up, etched in their DNA, is once again regaining the passionate years and glorious times of the past.”

“Under Klopp’s leadership, this Liverpool team is also making great strides in all competitions. After the resurgence of the Red Devils, we have reason to expect another old powerhouse wearing red to radiate new glory!”

“The fans in the stadium are singing The Beatles’ songs together. The camera sweeps across the stands, and you can see many legends from both sides present. Sir Paul McCartney, sitting behind Sir Alex Ferguson, is a member of this legendary band!”

—[There are so many sirs in England. How valuable is my brother Lu’s knighthood??]

—[An achievement Beckham hasn’t even gotten yet, what do you say about its value?]

—[Stop talking nonsense, focus on the game!]

With the referee’s whistle, the match officially began. The home team Liverpool’s red jerseys maintained a relatively simple design, while Manchester United’s away jerseys were printed with 17 sponsor logos.

This also reflected the difference between the two teams. Manchester United, performing excellently in the wave of globalization, has a large number of fans and has always been among the top clubs in terms of revenue generation.

Therefore, the overall salary level of their players is considerably higher than Liverpool’s. This ebb and flow is also a key factor in Manchester United’s long-term dominance in the Premier League.

However, in a timeline where Lucia did not emerge as a surprise, it was truly incomprehensible that Manchester United could become a member of the relegation battle teams. With such revenue, for the team to decline year after year truly made all Red Devils fans unable to hold their heads high.

The two teams on the pitch quickly entered an offensive and defensive state from the very beginning. Liverpool continued their excellent form from the previous few games.

Their offense was sharp, and their defense was solid. The trident formed by Salah, Mane, and Firmino frequently pressured in the front.

The entire team implemented high pressing and quick counter-attacks, intending to use their home advantage to suppress Manchester United.

As for the Red Devils, they stuck to their old defensive counter-attacking routine. To break high pressing, they relied on brute force, sending long balls to the front to utilize Lucia and Lukaku’s speed and strength to create threats.

The battle between spear and shield instantly unfolded. In the second minute of the match, Liverpool initiated an attack in the final third, creating momentum through skillful passing among their front players.

Firmino delivered a clever through ball, and the Pharaoh Salah immediately drew his bow and arrow, testing De Gea’s concentration.

At the critical moment, Maguire bravely blocked the shot, successfully deflecting the ball. This was the first dangerous attack of the match for either side.

Fred, who collected the second ball, immediately sent a long pass to Lucia in the front. Van Dijk immediately stepped forward to apply pressure.

The tall Dutch defender underestimated Lucia’s explosive power, and the first header duel ended in failure.

The Manchester United striker laid the ball off to Lukaku, and the Belgian began to dribble into the opponent’s defense with a step-over.

However, Van Dijk’s fighting spirit was excellent, and he immediately organized the defenders to launch a second wave of defense.

With the continuous reinforcements from Klopp and Mourinho, the strength of both Liverpool and Manchester United had greatly increased, and both sides exchanged blows in the front and back.

Lukaku, who had drifted wide, tried to cut back to the middle, but this time Van Dijk successfully averted the danger, clearing the ball before Lucia could reach it.

In just two minutes, both sides contributed a dangerous attack, which made the viewers in front of their televisions even more excited. This was undoubtedly a peak showdown with no dull moments.

The scene shifted, and the home team Liverpool’s attack came again. Although Alexander-Arnold was absent, Liverpool could still create a storm from the flanks.

Left-back Robertson sent a high lob over Manchester United’s defense. Firmino sprinted forward and then squared the ball to the middle, where the onrushing Mane fell to the ground under the interference of Lindelof behind him.

The excited fans in the stands, seeing the referee remain unmoved, were already spewing obscenities, while Manchester United fans on the other side were frantically complaining about Mane’s dive.

The heated atmosphere of the Double Red Derby was not only present on the pitch but also among the English fans in the stands, who were doing their part for their home team.

“From the slow-motion replay, you can see that when the two players made contact, Lindelof had a pushing motion from behind, but his interference was very subtle. The referee chose to be more conservative on such a debatable call!”

The referee attracting fire was not enough. In the next moment, this guy successfully made himself disliked by fans of both teams.

The scene shifted again, and Manchester United’s attack came. Lucia, with the ball, did not choose to run forward but instead found Lovren, the “soft target,” to engage in a one-on-one duel.

The self-proclaimed GOAT, Lucia, was wreaking havoc in Liverpool’s penalty area.

The Apennine Tank unleashed a powerful shot after a crushing dribble, and the ball hit Fabinho’s arm.

This time, the referee remained unmoved, but the public opinion of both teams’ fans instantly reversed.

From the trajectory of the ball and Fabinho’s movement, although it happened while he was retracting his arm, it should have been an undisputed penalty.

However, the referee remained silent. After choosing a conservative approach on the previous controversial call, he dared not directly award a penalty to Manchester United at this moment.

To balance out the previous foul, the referee once again signaled for play to continue. After a series of actions, the Double Red Derby’s intensity grew.

—[Where’s VAR???? When will the stupid Premier League introduce it?]

—[Damn it, my brother Lu had such a stylish dribble, if this ball hadn’t been blocked, it would have definitely been a goal!]

—[Don’t shout upstairs, did you forget that Mane was pushed down earlier and no foul was called?]

—[Exactly, don’t be greedy after getting an advantage!]

The players on the pitch were also dissatisfied. The contest between the two sides became more physical, and the game was continuously interrupted, which was actually more advantageous for Manchester United, who focused on defensive counter-attacks.

After the game was continuously fragmented, Maguire made a brilliant header clearance in the backfield, and Liverpool’s corner kick opportunity turned into a Manchester United attacking wave.

Pogba, who received the ball, dared not mess around in such a crucial match, and delivered a perfectly timed through ball to Lucia.

The Manchester United striker, who received the ball, directly used his speed to overpower Van Dijk, who had just retreated after contesting a header in Manchester United’s penalty area.

Breaking into the box and facing Fabinho’s interference, Lucia directly used his unique superstar link-up play to deliver a precise wide pass.

Lukaku arrived just in time and unleashed a powerful shot. The ball flew towards Alisson’s goal with almost no spin and incredible speed.

However, the nickname “big-game bottler” was not wrong. From such close range, Lukaku managed to shoot directly at the goalkeeper.

Fortunately, the shot had enough power to cause the Liverpool goalkeeper to spill the ball, and Lucia, with his keen goal-scoring instincts, immediately followed up with a tap-in.

“Lukaku!!”

“Eh!”

Zhan Jun, whose commentary emotions had just shifted, saw Lucia appear in front of the ball and instantly became dejected.

“Goal!!!!!!”

“It’s still superstar Lucia who helps Manchester United break the deadlock!”

“His 106th goal in 2018. Liverpool receives a heavy blow at Anfield. Facing the Red Devils’ extremely compressed defense, their three lines must push forward to launch continuous attacks, which also gives Manchester United opportunities for quick counter-attacks!”

“Although Van Dijk had previously done well to limit Lucia, this time the Ballon d’Or winner seized the opportunity from Liverpool’s corner kick, instantly creating a goal by exploiting the gap when Van Dijk wasn’t marking him!”

“Manchester United leads Liverpool 1- 0!”