The perfect center forward: Becoming a soccer king from the corner of Chuanu Chapter 229

“Blue Moon’s backline is very tough. Anthony Taylor blew the whistle, and Manchester United got a set piece. Heading is a major weapon for these Red Devils, and they have many heading masters, with Lucia being the best among them.”

“Hold on, Lucia didn’t go for the header; instead, he’s communicating with his teammates.”

“To be honest, this position isn’t ideal for a direct shot!”

-[Watch your words, this isn’t communication, he’s clearly telling Damian to move!]

-[Ball-hogging style, only twenty and already like this. Lucia is definitely going to fail in the future.]

-[The last free kick gave him confidence. Does he really think he can replicate Beckham’s curve after being praised by Becks?]

-[Maybe it’s a deceptive move. Lucia crosses, and Lukaku heads it in!]

-[You’re overthinking it. Lucia is just like Ronaldo. When he stands in front of the penalty spot, he shoots. There won’t be a second outcome.]

The mother and two daughters in Barcelona also tuned in to watch their family member’s match as scheduled.

“My sister and I both support brother-in-law. Mom, who do you support?”

Celia’s mouth twitched. If Lucia truly overwhelmed Manchester City, wouldn’t her marital life still be separated by distance?

If Pep succeeded in Manchester and became famous at his new club, he should surely return to normal life for a while!

“Although Pep hasn’t been very competent lately, it’s too pathetic if no one supports your father. I still support Manchester City~”

“Hmph, maybe the opening free kick will go in and make Pep cry!” Rebellious Valentina, inheriting her sister’s previous state, just wanted to see her old father suffer.

The sister-in-law and brother-in-law were perfectly aligned!

…..

At the Etihad Stadium, under everyone’s gaze,

Lucia, who had fallen in Manchester City’s midfield, directly pulled away Damian, who wanted to take the kick, and stood in front of the ball without hesitation.

Perhaps the low overall free-kick conversion rate in the past gave Guardiola the courage to target Lucia, but the current Manchester United striker is no longer the “Wu Xia A Meng” of old!

Lucia stepped on the grass around the ball, then slowly retreated, his eyes like torches fixed on the goal guarded by Ederson!

Run-up.

Arms spread, body slightly tilted.

Core strength engaged with thigh muscles, the powerful explosiveness caused the ball to deform the moment it touched his instep.

In an instant, the ball left his foot, cutting through the air with an elusive curve, piercing through the wall, and accurately finding the net like a white feather embedded in stone. The Manchester City goalkeeper could only sigh in despair.

“Like a full moon bow, looking northwest, shooting down the Heavenly Wolf!”

“Just 95 seconds into the match, Lucia scores the opening goal for the Red Devils Manchester United in the Manchester Derby!”

“To be honest, this free-kick position wasn’t easy for a direct shot, and the conventional choice would usually be to aim for the far post. But Lucia, with his exceptional skill and daring, chose the top near corner!”

“Ederson couldn’t react in time and could only watch the ball enter the net. Super Lucia’s eighteenth goal in the Premier League, and his 93rd goal in 2018!”

“With Lucia at home, victory comes easy!! Congratulations to Manchester United for a dream start away from home!”

-[Who said this position can’t be shot from? Did you forget Lucia had a similar goal before?]

-[That time someone helped him set up the ball and create an angle. 80% of teams would choose to cross from such a free kick, and Manchester United has many tall players.]

-[Manchester City’s defense must have made specific arrangements. The Blue Moon’s aerial defense has also improved. By choosing to shoot himself, he rendered the opponent’s efforts useless.]

-[Lucia: I was just going to shoot directly; there wasn’t that much going on in my head!]

….

Valentina, in front of the TV, jumped up excitedly, touched little Lucia’s face, and then celebrated wildly.

Fortunately, she wasn’t at the Etihad Stadium, otherwise Guardiola’s expression would have been even more sour.

The furious Manchester City coach, kicking a water bottle, looked grim. Lucia must have had a stroke of luck. After his previous free-kick goal, there was a long interval. How could he score again from a free kick so soon?

Although the shot quality looked very high, was his potential really that outstanding, allowing him to make significant progress with just a period of dedicated practice?

In contrast, Mourinho was full of confidence. The Special One had already noticed Lucia’s increased free-kick threat during team training.

That’s how it is with young players at twenty; sometimes, enlightenment happens in an instant.

…

The Manchester United fans who traveled with the team now held the initiative at the Etihad. The chants of “GGMU” drowned out “Blue Moon.” Amidst the passionate cheers of the fans, the Red Devils also put in their utmost effort defensively, standing ready.

The scene shifted. David Silva, relying on his excellent skill, led the attack in the final third, continuously turning and weaving, and then delivering a precise through ball at the edge of the box.

Sterling, running like a T-Rex, instantly burst into action, wreaking havoc on Manchester United’s left flank. Guardiola’s tactics were highly targeted; defensively, he locked down Lucia, and offensively, he focused on Manchester United’s two wings.

Comparatively, Dalot was a bit too green, and Darmian’s physical attributes were relatively average. The configuration of these two flanks was indeed somewhat rudimentary.

Sterling faced Darmian with a brilliant “roulette” move, then swept the ball across the middle. Aguero, with his bleached white hair, failed to capitalize on the opportunity, and his shot was successfully blocked by Manchester United’s solid defense.

“What a shame, Aguero couldn’t seize the chance. This Blue Moon legend has an unparalleled goal-scoring efficiency at the Etihad, almost averaging a goal per game so far.”

“And this is after he went through a period of slump. Fortunately, this Argentine striker has regained his manager’s trust through his own transformation and has once again become an absolute starter!”

In fact, after Guardiola arrived at Manchester City, Aguero was once on the verge of being discarded by the system.

During Pellegrini’s time, Aguero was meant to be a penalty box striker. For this, he trained strength, enhanced his goal-scoring instincts, and consequently gave up training dribbling and other skills.

When Guardiola arrived, such a striker was not what Guardiola wanted. So, after briefly losing his core status, Aguero successfully lost weight and adapted to the system’s movements.

So, strictly speaking, the managers of the two Manchester clubs are not the type of people who adapt to their players. When players’ abilities cannot keep up with their demands, the team’s performance on the field will be greatly reduced.

And now, Mourinho has built the central axis he dreamed of, and the team is flourishing under the leadership of their young captain, Lucia.

On the other side, Guardiola has also built his own foundation at the Blue Moon, and the team’s passing and control style is becoming increasingly refined.

Undoubtedly, a head-to-head battle is unfolding. Who will prevail depends on the players’ performance and execution on the field.

The scene shifted again, and Manchester United’s counter-attack came. This time, Pogba won possession after tracking back. Although he can be a bit flashy at times, the Frenchman is willing to endure Lucia’s “torture” in big matches and become a diligent, top-tier B 2B midfielder.

After a brilliant one-two with Lucia, Pogba fired a shot from 22 meters outside the box, but unfortunately, this powerful strike went just wide of the top right corner.

“Manchester United’s counter-attacks are also very layered, and Lucia’s important role must be mentioned. An all-around center-forward who can track back, make runs, and even act as a playmaker is truly a huge threat in the game.”

“This time, he attracted the Blue Moon’s heavy defense, giving his teammates ample time to adjust and shoot!”

“Let’s look at Manchester City’s attack. The Blue Moon is a bit strange today; their backward passes have significantly decreased, and they are pushing forward more, even making mistakes, and Guardiola on the sidelines doesn’t seem to mind.”

“Both sides are playing fast. Manchester United is accelerating the tempo using the players’ impact and explosiveness, while the home team is creating threats through quick forward passing!”

In the sixteenth minute, the Blue Moon capitalized on Manchester United’s offensive-defensive transition. Fernandinho got the ball and quickly passed it to Bernardo Silva, who immediately threaded it through to Mahrez in front of him.

Mahrez, after a lightning-fast run down the flank, swept the ball across the face of the goal. Maguire, who has cemented his place as a starting center-back this season, stood firm like a lone general, extending his long leg and instantly intercepting the ball out for a throw-in.

Blue Moon’s throw-in. Kyle Walker threw it powerfully. Bernardo Silva, at the edge of the box, looked at the tall figures in the Red Devils’ penalty area and still chose to play a ground pass, but it couldn’t penetrate Manchester United’s steel defense. Finally, the advancing Fernandinho tested the goalkeeper with a long-range shot.

Facing such a shot, De Gea made an easy diving save, collecting the ball. Although his footwork for distribution was average, peak De Gea’s ability to claim the ball was exceptional.

He threw the ball to Lindelof. Manchester City’s high press quietly arrived. Not wanting to pass back and forth in a dangerous area, the Iceman directly launched a long ball to the front.

Facing the frantic interception of Guardiola’s disciples, Manchester United had the simplest way to break the deadlock: a long ball to Lucia.

This was the power of a super striker. As his abilities became more comprehensive, Lucia pulled off a brilliant dummy and turn under the interference of Stones and Laporte.

Instantly, Manchester United launched an attack in the final third. Lucia, with the ball firmly at his feet, continued to drive forward using his individual ability.

Although his speed was somewhat slowed by the two defenders, Lucia still maintained firm possession of the ball.

In the central area directly facing the goal, the two defenders could only do their best to limit him, not daring to foul and give away a free kick.

Catching a glimpse of a red figure out of the corner of his eye, Lucia immediately played a wall pass with Lukaku, then a skillful chip pass into the box.

Unfortunately, the “half-Baller” Lukaku’s technical quality was a bit lacking; the pass had slightly insufficient power and was cleared by Manchester City’s defense in the box.

Manchester City’s offensive-defensive transition speed was also fast. Bernardo Silva, who won the second ball, immediately sprinted towards the Red Devils’ half.

The young Portuguese didn’t show any mercy to his compatriot, fiercely tackling Bernardo Silva in defense. The young Dalot paid the price for his rough defensive experience.

He was shown a yellow card directly by referee Anthony Taylor, which made Guardiola’s eyes light up. He was already targeting Manchester United’s two flanks, and now it was like getting a pillow when you’re sleepy.

A note was immediately sent out. “Strike while the iron is hot” is an unbreakable rule on the football field!

“This free-kick position is similar to where Lucia scored directly just now. Let’s see how Manchester City handles it. David Silva’s technique is also quite good.”

“Lucia’s jumping ability is truly exaggerated! Silva’s shot was successfully blocked by the wall. A second ball opportunity. Manchester City is still focusing on the right flank.”

“New signing Mahrez and Bernardo Silva’s continuous passing. Dalot, who received a yellow card, clearly doesn’t dare to make a challenge. They played a half-volley into the ribs, which made Manchester United’s defense very uncomfortable!”

“Aguero!!”

“What a shame, that shot was indeed very beautiful, but De Gea’s reaction was even better, an absolutely brilliant save.”

“Sometimes, in football, an individual can indeed create miracles, but there is only one position where this is possible, and that is the goalkeeper!”

“In the long history of football, there are many top goalkeepers who have made over ten incredible saves in a single match. Based on De Gea’s reactions and shot-stopping ability, he has that potential.”

“And at this moment, Manchester United is leading by one goal, which also significantly boosts the goalkeeper’s morale.”

A simple long ball to Lucia in the final third. He immediately headed it down to Lukaku, who sprinted wide but was tightly marked by Mendy, who has suffered from appearance discrimination.

Yes, this Mendy is the unfortunate guy who was accused of being a rapist by three different women, but only he was charged.

A powerful winger facing a strong and fast player of the same type is indeed difficult to deal with. Lukaku chose to lay it back to Lucia.

The Manchester United striker, holding the ball in the central area, did not rush to embed himself in the box but instead acted as a playmaker.

At the same time, the in-sync Pogba directly pushed into the box, impersonating a center-forward. Bellingham’s future playing style at Real Madrid was first implemented by Manchester United.

Unfortunately, Manchester City’s defense was still very solid. The central attack failed, and Lucia immediately pushed the ball horizontally, dribbled two steps, and then passed it to the overlapping Dalot.

This time, it was again “countrymen meeting countrymen, tears in their eyes.” The actively tracking back Bernardo Silva exacted revenge for the earlier incident by stepping on Dalot, also receiving a yellow card.

“This is a derby match; both teams are pressing very fiercely. The team’s new signings are eager to show their spirit in such a battle!”

“Both Portuguese players received a yellow card, but from a positional perspective, Manchester United is undoubtedly at a greater disadvantage.”

“The Blue Moon’s left flank is not weak, and new signing Mahrez’s performance since joining Manchester City has also been quite impressive.”

“Let’s look at this set piece. Lucia is once again standing over the ball. This position really could be used for a header in the box. As long as the teammate’s cross quality is reliable, Manchester United’s aerial ability could definitely cause Manchester City problems.”

“Perhaps the previous direct goal gave the Italian confidence. Remember, the sun moves at noon, and the moon wanes when full! Ederson absolutely cannot fall twice in the same place!”

Σ(°△°|||)︴

Σ(°△°|||)︴

“Goal!!”

“Far post, it’s in!!”

“Another incredible curve! I can only say that we mere mortals truly cannot understand the thoughts of a genius!”

“Whatever he shoots, it goes in. In the face of absolute strength, all your tactical arrangements are mere illusions. Ederson’s tight marking at the near post had no effect whatsoever. The ball, with intense spin, flew directly into the far corner of the net!”

“Super Lucia completes a free-kick brace! Manchester United leads the Blue Moon 2- 0 at the Etihad Stadium!”

Lucia, standing still, simply spread his hands. Given this state, the “Key Player” trait must have been triggered. He had to make good use of it and make significant progress.

He had to make Guardiola, who was currently stunned on the sidelines, experience the formidable strength of the second-generation God King again, to let him know the consequences of angering his son-in-law. He had to make the old man understand who was the true master on the football field, and which club was the boss of Manchester!