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"No way, not this again."
Lance's prediction was correct; it was just like the last system update.
For a period, he probably wouldn't be able to use the system.
Good news: after the system upgrade, new functions should come online, like the previous Gold Coin Draw and Silver Coin Draw.
Bad news: this system upgrade directly banned the template equipment slot.
Before, it was just that Rage could not accumulate to 100%; this time, he couldn't use templates at all.
"It's not the first time."
Lance spread his hands.
Having experienced the last system bug, Lance had already adapted to life without templates.
Anyway, the opponents weren't strong recently, so he could work on improving his own strength.
Lance could feel that the [Football GOAT System] he awakened was not a task system that treated people as puppets.
In many novels, the protagonist is a puppet of the system, constantly driven to complete various tasks.
His system was like the training wheels of a bicycle.
As he gradually mastered the balance of the bicycle and learnt how to ride, the system would gradually let go and disappear.
He believed that on the day the system completely disappeared, he should be able to become a true GOAT, right?
Of course, he was still far from it now.
When equipped with templates, he could go 7-3 against peak Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Without the template's boost, the difficulty of matches increased sharply, and Lance couldn't guarantee a win.
His current overall strength was probably between 80-85, occasionally able to awaken through muscle memory, bursting out with nearly 90 points of strength.
"It's enough for now."
"Enough for what?"
Torres walked past, wiping sweat, looking at Lance staring blankly outside the player tunnel.
"Nothing."
"Go shower, don't catch a cold."
Torres usually didn't talk much, but occasionally he cared for his teammates like an older brother.
Having experienced the glory of the Liverpool era, and the slump of the Chelsea era, now, in Torres's eyes, there was only a peaceful resignation to everything.
"Fernando Torres."
"Qué? What?"
"You played great today."
Lance gave a thumbs-up.
"Thanks, your goal was beautiful too."
The blonde middle-aged man gave a faint smile.
...
Just after he said they wouldn't encounter strong teams recently, the very next day after the league victory, the Spanish Football Federation announced the draw results for the 2015-2016 Copa del Rey semi-finals.
Real Madrid vs Valencia
Atlético Madrid vs Barcelona
"What a tragedy!"
Copa del Rey semi-final first leg, February 11, Atlético Madrid vs Real Madrid
Semi-final second leg, February 25, Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid
Logically, this schedule was fine.
But on February 17 and March 3, the midweeks of those two weeks were Champions League knockout matches!
And there were La Liga matches every weekend!
With the close point difference in La Liga and the Champions League knockout stage where no mistakes could be afforded, it was a month of continuous high-intensity two-match weeks!
The most crucial thing was... [System upgrading... please wait!]
Lance still had the same words:
"What a tragedy!"
System, you're doing this on purpose, aren't you?
Deliberately having him comprehend the Tiger Shot at this critical moment, and deliberately upgrading the system in the crucial month of February?
Damn it!
What the heck!
Lance almost blurted out the dialect from his hometown in southern Fujian province.
"Lance, are you alright?"
On the training ground, Saúl noticed Lance's lack of focus.
The passed football was mechanically kicked back.
If it were before, Lance would instinctively show off some fancy footwork to increase the training intensity.
"It's fine, I'm okay."
Lance's mouth twitched secretly, giving the system a mental middle finger.
Alright, then I'll see this through to the end!
Banning templates, is it? The Forbidden Technique, is it?
It doesn't matter!
I won't lose a single match in February!
Bang—
Saúl passed the ball again, and then felt a powerful pressure coming at him!
"Jesus!"
Saúl, relying on a professional athlete's reflexes, instinctively ducked.
The football whizzed past his ear like a cannonball, leaving half his face with a burning, numb sensation.
Then he heard a "Clang—"
The football hit the post behind him, the metallic sound echoing across the training ground.
All of Atlético Madrid were stunned.
Saúl tremblingly looked back, then nervously looked at Lance.
"Lance, brother, we have no grudges, let's talk this out..."
In that instant, Saúl almost thought he was going to die.
...
Castilla training base.
A bald man in a sharp suit stood with his hands in his pockets, quietly observing the players' training.
"Zidane, how does it feel?"
"So-so."
The three-time World Player of the Year in 1998, 2000, and 2003, a meritorious champion of the 1998 World Cup, and the 1998 Ballon d'Or winner, Real Madrid's legendary superstar Zidane from the first Galácticos era, was now back at the familiar training base as manager.
Former teammates Raúl, Figo, Ronaldo, Beckham, Roberto Carlos, and others were no longer there; those on the pitch were all younger generations in football.
Speaking of which, Zidane had to thank Atlético Madrid.
In the first Madrid Derby, Lance descended like a god, with two goals and one assist to turn the tide against Real Madrid.
After that match, former manager Benítez entered the countdown to his dismissal, becoming another world-renowned coach on Lance's "coach killer" list.
Zidane was brought in to save the day, taking on his first senior team coaching role in his career as Real Madrid's ambassador and B team coach.
In the period immediately after his appointment at the end of the year, Madrid was rife with speculation.
Mundo Deportivo, Marca, AS, and other well-known media outlets were all questioning him.
"No first-team coaching experience, is it really okay to take over Real Madrid?"
"He must be Florentino's scapegoat; I bet Zidane won't last until the end of the season."
"He's definitely getting fired in the summer, just a transitional coach."
"He has never proven himself; a legendary player isn't necessarily a good coach."
Similar voices rose and fell.
Any other novice coach would have been at a loss.
But who was Zidane?
A football legend, a master at the pinnacle of the 2000s.
That red card in the 2006 World Cup final elevated Zidane's mindset to another level.
Now, he always had a nonchalant smile on his face, no matter the occasion.
"Do you think there's hope? For the championship."
Before his appointment, in Florentino's private club, the old chairman asked, puffing on a cigar.
"Leave it to me."
Even facing the threats from Atlético Madrid and Barcelona, Zidane's eyes remained incredibly firm.
At this moment, the bald man next to Zidane was worried.
David Bettoni, the first assistant coach, Zidane's right-hand man, began to panic.
They were about to enter the hellish February schedule, facing Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey, Manchester United in the Champions League knockout stage, and challenges from Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao, and other teams in the league.
The team's performance was only "so-so" now; how could they compete for the championship?
"David, don't panic. I have a hunch that we can win the championship this year."
"What championship, the Copa del Rey?"
"The Champions League."
"What?"
David Bettoni didn't know where Zidane's confidence came from.
After Benítez left, Zidane hadn't established his own tactical system yet.
Most of the team's tactics were still those inherited from Benítez.
In the past few league matches, Real Madrid, although they won, won by the skin of their teeth.
2-1 against Real Betis, 1-0 against Sporting Gijón, 1-0 against Espanyol, Copa del Rey aggregate 1-0 against Mirandés.
Every match was tough, yet they were lucky enough to win them all.
The tactics could be summarised in four words: — just winging it.
How could you tell me to win the Champions League?
By relying on metaphysics?
However, as time drew closer, arriving at the first leg of the Copa del Rey, Lance looked at Real Madrid's past six match results, and listened as the coaching staff analysed and reviewed Real Madrid's tactics.
Lance's expression, however, was unusually serious.
"It's here, this day has finally arrived!"
He wasn't afraid of how strong the BBC trio was; he was afraid of Zidane's "just winging it" tactics.
In prophecies, Zidane was called "Zizou the Mystic," because his tactical arrangements were often puzzling, yet he somehow managed to win in various incredible ways.
On the eve of the Copa del Rey match, Lance felt like he was playing a FromSoftware 'Souls-like' game by Hidetaka Miyazaki.
No equipment, no skill points, starting with just a knife, and the first boss he faced was an ultimate boss that could instantly take half his health with one hit!
The first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals might be the most difficult battle of the season!