The perfect center forward: Becoming a soccer king from the corner of Chuanu Chapter 250

Guardiola, watching in front of the TV, his eyes lit up! This, this, this is a thickened, widened, and enlarged version of Lionel Messi.

These foot movements, this genius way of handling the ball, if Lucia could have such stable technique, he would definitely be capable of playing as an attacking midfielder and becoming the strongest Italian trequartista.

Papa Mansour, I kind of want to buy him!

And it’s quite normal for a father-in-law and son-in-law to be on the same team; maybe there’s even a bonus. Otherwise, how could Ancelotti have won the World Cup so easily?

No, no, we’re going to be opponents in the League Cup, and how could such a rough guy master such delicate, genius skills?

It must be luck!

Although he scoffed out loud, Guardiola’s heart was still itching.

Ever since leaving Barcelona, Guardiola had been trying to compensate for the absence of a Messi-esque core by adjusting his tactical system and player roles.

One must remember that during the era of that peak six-trophy Barcelona, Messi was an all-around core who combined the roles of orchestrator, dribbler, and finisher.

At Manchester City, however, Messi’s singular core function was disassembled into a multi-person collaborative system through Kevin De Bruyne’s passing creativity, Bernardo Silva’s ball control and link-up play, and Ilkay Gündogan’s late runs into the box for goals.

In addition, Guardiola had also frequently instructed Raheem Sterling to cut inside to the central area, mimicking Messi’s threat of penetrating from the right wing to the half-space, attempting to replicate the space and attacking layers created when Messi dropped deep to organize play.

He even used systemic solutions to break stalemates instead of individual brilliance, solving the problem of dense defenses through complex set-piece tactics and combined wing-to-center routines.

In short, if another superstar capable of combining dribbling, organizing, and individual ability were to appear in football, Guardiola would definitely exert tremendous effort to acquire him and begin establishing his new generation dynasty!

Watching the replay of Lucia’s goal, Guardiola became increasingly captivated. It was truly a pity that he and Lucia didn’t get along!

Otherwise, under his guidance, his cheap son-in-law could definitely develop even more comprehensive abilities.

That Mourinho fellow only knows how to mold rough-and-tumble finishers; how could an unparalleled work of art in football be created under the Portuguese manager!

…

Just as various television stations finished replaying that spectacular goal, a dramatic scene unfolded directly on the pitch.

Lucia, who was celebrating towards the stands, was pulled aside by the referee and cautioned.

“Do not make gestures with political intent, and do not provoke the away fans. If this happens again, I will show you a card!”

“No, no, no! I just made an ‘M’ for my girlfriend Maria, because she just bought me a new Richard Mille watch, ten times more expensive than the one she bought for Pep!”

The Golden Ball winner quickly explained to the referee, who, consumed by jealousy, nodded in approval, though his expression was somewhat envious. Not only did he have a high income, but he also found a rich woman.

Lucia shook his head, blaming those players who liked to stir up trouble and involve politics, making celebratory gestures on the pitch sensitive.

Like before, taking off one’s shirt to celebrate was not only domineering but also didn’t result in a card. Some players liked to make political slogans or advertisements, which led to yellow cards for shirtless celebrations.

They just had to imbue perfectly good entertainment with political color. With that idle time, they might as well do something practical like charity.

No, those fans who like to cause trouble in the fan circles are the same!

In the 2025 AFC Champions League match, Shandong Taishan fans used a young Gwangju player to mock their opponents, and then in the match against Ulsan Hyundai, they directly suffered a backlash. The fans’ provocative actions led to the club directly withdrawing from the AFC Champions League.

Not only because the joke went too far, but also because they worried that if the opponent were to display a “forbidden slide” poster during a match in Korea, the Taishan club would be the one to suffer.

…

After the farce, the match finally returned to normal. Klopp and the Liverpool players, having conceded two goals, were not convinced.

The two teams attacked each other fiercely on the pitch. The Red Devils, having equalized with two goals, were full of momentum, and in a blink of an eye, their offensive wave surged again.

In the twenty-eighth minute of the match, Lucia laid off the ball after receiving it, directly taking over Pogba’s role, and delivered a brilliant long pass to Kaká on the right.

Kaká, transformed into a heavy winger, was a physical碾压, and after the “Double Lu” combination completed a dream link-up, Lukaku found space and immediately delivered a cross.

Liverpool, on their part, showed great resilience as a team. Roberto Firmino, actively tracking back, successfully headed the ball clear, sending it out for a corner kick for Manchester United.

Several tall players immediately entered the away team’s penalty area. Corner kicks and set pieces were also lethal scoring weapons for the Red Devils.

Luke Shaw took the corner kick. With Lucia heavily marked, Lukaku successfully got a touch.

The big man headed the ball back, and inside the box, Marcus Rashford curled a shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Unfortunately, Alisson in goal reacted quickly, diving to block the ball, and the second ball was immediately cleared by Virgil van Dijk.

The scene shifted, and Liverpool’s counterattack surged forward. Sadio Mané drove deep on the left and then made a wide transfer to Mohamed Salah, who also contributed a high-quality curling shot.

The ball, flying towards the top corner, was miraculously blocked by David De Gea’s fingertips, ultimately going just over the crossbar.

From the start of the match, both teams played with extremely high entertainment value on the field. The LPL trio and the “Red Arrow Three” fought each other, while the two goalkeepers in the back also responded to each other with brilliant saves.

However, Alisson was clearly a goalkeeper who liked fair play. Seeing De Gea’s earlier own-goal assist, the Liverpool goalkeeper also decided to develop his attacking attributes.

The scene shifted, and Alisson’s audacious move directly silenced Klopp!

Paul Pogba, after winning the ball, launched a quick attack. After a series of passes with Nemanja Matić, the Frenchman delivered a through ball from the back.

Lucia immediately accelerated, charging towards the opponent’s half. Faced with the pursuit and pressure from the Manchester United striker, Joël Matip passed the ball back, and Alisson immediately attempted a long clearance.

However, the ball, neither too far nor too close, hit Lucia’s body squarely, and then bounced directly into the net.

“A dramatic match! The first half hasn’t even ended, and both sides have already contributed five goals!”

“Both teams’ forwards are bravely attacking, while both goalkeepers have successively provided reverse assists. De Gea’s opening act, Alisson’s reciprocation – brothers who stayed up late for this match are truly blessed!”

“In such a situation, it’s hard to tell whether both teams’ attacking lines are sharp, or if both goalkeepers are a bit unpredictable today!”

“After opponent De Gea delivered an own-goal assist, Alisson also unhesitatingly became a ‘Red Army traitor,’ as his long clearance hit Lucia’s body and deflected into the net!”

“Manchester United 3:2 Liverpool! The Red Devils have taken the lead with this lucky goal!!”

“A ‘Red Derby’ with all the elements! But for neutral fans, it’s been a great watch. An average of one goal every six or seven minutes, truly no dull moments!”

Klopp on the sidelines had already started cursing. A beautiful dream start, but it turned into Lucia’s stage again.

Having just scored a brace, he immediately completed a hat-trick. This Lucia fellow scores goals as easily as drinking water!

On the other side, on PPTV Sports Channel, Zhan Jun’s “super super huge huge low-level mistake” commentary sounded a bit more bitter.

And Lucia gave a mysterious smile. The occasional effect of the “Only Super Giant” trait was just that magical. This was the oppressive power of a super striker~

…

For the remainder of the first half, the home team, leading by one goal, began to withdraw appropriately. The most important withdrawal was that of the B 2B striker Lucia, strengthening the defense while also occasionally distributing passes to seek counterattacks using the speed of the two wingers.

Meanwhile, Liverpool, facing the Red Devils’ iron curtain, began to fall into a dead end. Lucia, who had dropped back to midfield, not only exerted intense pressure with his physicality but also showed the style of the “world’s first left-back” of old, doing excellent defensive work!

Unable to find an opening in the attacking third, Liverpool almost conceded another goal to Manchester United in the final moments of the first half.

In the forty-first minute of the match, the actively tracking back B 2B striker initiated a counterattack from the back.

The “Curved Moon Scythe” was incredibly useful at such moments. From his own half, he seized the opportunity to deliver a crucial split pass, then surged forward at high speed himself.

Lucia’s pass was just right, with his preferred foot and the perfect lead, making Rashford even more formidable.

The “Prince of Manchester United” charged towards the opponent’s penalty area with immense effort. Before he became a “lazy king,” Rashford’s threat was still significant. Finding a bit of space, he instantly pushed the ball across the goal.

Lucia, with his legs pumping rapidly, watched the ball accelerating in front of him. In the nick of time, Andrew Robertson made a last-ditch clearance, and Liverpool narrowly escaped!

If the Red Army’s full-back had hesitated even slightly on that ball, Manchester United’s attacking duo would have pulled off a dream link-up.

During first-half injury time, neither side showed any signs of slowing down. This was how two old Premier League rivals met – no probing, no pleasantries, just getting straight to it!

—————–

In the away team’s locker room, Alisson proactively apologized to the entire team, as his mistake today was simply too outrageous.

“Everyone has fluctuations in form. Relax a bit, the game isn’t over yet, anything is possible!”

“We were able to lead the Red Devils 2- 0, and we can still complete the final comeback! Let’s show our passion, charge! Charge! Charge!”

On the other side, the Red Devils of Manchester United were also in high spirits. From being two goals down to leading by one, Mourinho’s only task was to keep the flame burning in everyone’s hearts.

“We are the Red Devils, we are omnipotent!”

“We are first in defense, and the same goes for offense. In the second half, let’s tear apart those annoying ‘toilets’!”

The second half resumed after the break. Liverpool, with a desire to kill but lacking the power to turn the tide, completely collapsed.

Lucia, with his all-around enhancement in crucial matches, was omnipresent and unstoppable. Right from the start, he made a tackle and directly supplied ammunition to launch an attack in the final third!

Kaká used his physical advantage to break through on the wing and create momentum. James Milner, forced into action, could only commit a tactical foul, which gave Manchester United a free-kick opportunity in an excellent position.

“Lucia is standing over the ball. Without a doubt, the Italian will choose to shoot directly.”

“Near post or far post, knuckleball or curling shot, or even a speculative low shot from the Manchester United striker.”

The King of Old Trafford began to measure his run-up amidst cheers. After adjusting his breathing, he slowly started his run.

His standing leg planted firmly, then his right instep struck the bottom of the ball with force!

The ball instantly lifted off the ground with a violent out-spin, and the surrounding water droplets were immediately flung away. If observed with a high-magnification lens, one could see the ball’s trajectory exhibiting an irregular state.

Its initial trajectory flew straight towards the far corner. Alisson, having made his judgment, had already shifted two steps to prepare for the save… but in mid-air, it suddenly made an extremely wide turn!

Like a perfect crescent moon arc, it precisely bypassed the hair of the outermost player in the wall, flying rapidly towards the near post!

Alisson, whose reaction had caught up this time, couldn’t counter the change in his center of gravity. A pull and he realized the ball was getting closer and closer to the goal.

Like a bullet attracted by a magnet, the ball nestled into the net, hugging the absolute dead angle between the crossbar and the post!

The entire Old Trafford erupted from fervent cheering into deafening roars!

Manchester United 4:2 Liverpool!

The Red Devils extended their lead again right at the start of the second half. Alisson, who had picked the ball out of the net four consecutive times, looked bewildered.

Such a flight path, such a flight speed, such a tricky angle—was that really a shot that could be saved??

“A perfect four-goal haul!!!”

“Manchester United’s superhero!!!”

“What’s being 0- 2 down? In the forty-eighth minute, Manchester United leads Liverpool 4- 2!”

“Header, foot shot, forcing the goalkeeper’s mistake, direct free-kick goal—this is Super Lucia, the greatest all-around striker in football!!”

All the Liverpool players had lost their morale. Facing Manchester United, it was the same old story, the same old ending.

This Red Devils team with Lucia was truly difficult to beat. Liverpool’s miraculous aura and DNA seemed to lose their original magic in comparison to the Italian.

No choice, actually, it wasn’t that our army was too incompetent, but that the enemy army was too strong!

Key player + salary-raising king, plus so many powerful traits, and Manchester United’s squad isn’t too bad either. It’s not an exaggeration for a super striker with strong support to deliver such a performance.

After leading by two goals, Manchester United’s threatening shots continued to fly. In addition to Lucia’s brilliant performance, Marcus Rashford, who desperately wanted a big contract to earn half of Lucia’s salary, also had a strong presence.

In the fifty-fourth minute, the home team’s attack surged again. Rashford’s shot after a one-two with Lucia on the right wing.

The ball hit Matip’s body and then deflected into the net, further extending the Red Devils’ lead. Manchester United 5:2 Liverpool.

The away team suffered a complete collapse after the start of the second half. Although they had a perfect start in the first twenty minutes, facing a red-hot Lucia, Liverpool’s defense was still shattered and in disarray.

Overrun in the first half and then conceding two more goals in the second, the players’ mentality and physical state were already overwhelmed.

Especially the god-like Lucia, the fully unleashed Manchester United striker was somewhat frightening. His unsolvable individual ability was amplified by Mourinho’s meticulously designed tactics.

Klopp also felt a pang of regret. If he had chosen to defend resolutely after going 2- 0 up at the start of the match, would the outcome have been different?

After all, weaker teams had previously managed to draw with powerful Manchester United in that way!

When they meet again next season, he really needs to humble himself. This Manchester United team is too strong, and that Mourinho guy will definitely strengthen both wings in the summer transfer window!

…

The match on the field continued. The sluggish Liverpool gave Manchester United more counter-attacking opportunities, and under wave after wave of attacks, the Red Devils’ offensive surged again.

As the ball was continuously transferred, Lucia also frequently interchanged positions with the two players in the attacking third, putting Liverpool’s defense under pressure once more.

Finally, Lucia crossed to the surging Pogba, but the Frenchman’s powerful shot ultimately went wide of the goal.

A clever cook cannot make a meal without rice. Klopp, without significant transfer funds, saw no improvement after his substitutions.

Instead, in the sixty-sixth minute, another fatal error occurred. Fabinho miscontrolled the ball from midfield. Lucia, seizing the opportunity, surged forward and then distributed the ball.

Kaká, following up, didn’t waste the chance. He performed a step-over, calmly rounded the goalkeeper, and gratefully accepted the gift!

Manchester United 6:2 Liverpool!

The Red Army’s defense completely crumbled. The power outage in the attack, the loss of control in midfield, the void in defense—the away team’s lines were dismantled step by step, experiencing a complete collapse in just 15 minutes of the second half.

For the remainder of the match, Liverpool, trailing by four goals, launched a desperate counterattack in the attacking third. However, facing a Manchester United team that had dropped deep, the Red Army struggled to regain their first-half form.

Klopp’s team was completely different from their high-pressing, high-line play in the first half. In the second half, Liverpool seemed to have lost their soul. Losing another direct confrontation, Liverpool fans knew their team could only pin their hopes on the Champions League!

The match ended. Klopp and his Liverpool team had not won a single match against Manchester United in the past two years, especially this season where they lost both games by large margins.

Of course, the most crucial factor was the sole protagonist of the “Red Derby” in the past two years: Lucia!

Four goals and one assist, involved in six goals—the “Key Player” trait was terrifyingly effective!

Guardiola, who had initially expected a ninety-plus minute battle between the two teams, was in a bad mood.

The “Red Derby” could even end early! Klopp was not strong enough. He would just have to wait to deliver a harsh blow to Lucia and Mourinho in the League Cup final!!