Chapter 6: Beating the Big Bear

"Boy, show less arrogance!"

Joel was naturally irritated when he saw Lucas showing off in front of him. In previous training sessions, Joel wouldn't give Lucas any chance to shine. Provocation? That was something Lucas wouldn't have dared to do at all.

But today, Joel found that Lucas had unexpectedly gained confidence as if he were a completely different player.

Yet, the forward who once played for the big club of Everton in the Premier League wasn't going to be fooled. He knew how inconsistent Lucas's shooting had been in previous matches. The goal just now was definitely just good luck!

A player might score one or two goals due to luck, but they can't rely on luck throughout a match.

Joel told himself that he must shut down that cocky Brazilian kid!

Back on the pitch, Lucas's confidence surged after scoring that goal. Last night, although he outperformed Reggie in their practice match, Reggie wasn't giving his all and was merely humoring Lucas.

So, winning against Reggie didn't make Lucas overly excited.

But just now, scoring against a real professional player meant that Lucas really had what it took to make a name for himself in the English leagues.

No matter how hard things were, Lucas knew he had inherited Marco Reus's abilities from 2023-24, so standing out in a third-division side like Brentford was achievable.

On the defensive end, Lucas became energized by his success. He raised his arms, signaling that he was ready to face Joel head-on.

Lucas's arms were long and lean, and although he stood at 1.85 meters with a wingspan of 1.93 meters, he wasn't built for physical dominance. It was precisely because of Lucas's height and wingspan that Brentford decided to sign him.

However, nobody expected much from this Brazilian player. He was new, raw, and unproven.

But now, Lucas felt different. He could do a lot with his long reach.

As Joel received the ball just past midfield, he was determined to score against Lucas this time.

Joel was a seasoned player from the Championship and Premier League after all, so he had some authority on the pitch. The central midfielder didn't hesitate to pass him the ball.

For the second time in a row, Lucas and Joel faced off. Only this time, their roles were reversed.

Most of the players on the pitch, including Conor on the sidelines, didn't think Lucas could defend against Joel. Perhaps he got lucky with that goal, but luck doesn't help on defense.

Joel weighed a good 20 pounds more than Lucas, and that was pure muscle. No chance Lucas could hold him off.

Most players were already preparing for the next round of play because, based on past experience, Joel could easily muscle past Lucas, charge into the box, and decide whether to take a shot or pass it off.

But since Lucas had just provoked Joel, the "Big Bear" was probably going to make sure he hammered the goal this time.

"Prepare to eat dirt, kid!" Brockman growled as he began dribbling. To Lucas, his dribbling seemed clumsy, almost amateurish.

After all, Joel had always been a physical player with no good skill at his feet, someone who rarely had to carry the ball deep into the opponent's half. Dribbling with the ball wasn't really Joel's forte.

The "Big Bear" dribbled the ball directly toward Lucas.

*Thud!* The dull thump from their collision made Reggie, watching from the back, wince. He wanted to step in and help Lucas, but considering he was supposed to focus on his own man, Reggie held back.

"Hold your ground, Lucas!" Reggie silently prayed.

Lucas was indeed pushed back a few steps by Joel, and Joel took advantage, forcing his way closer to the goal.

At his peak, Marco Reus wasn't known for his physicality, and now Lucas had to face an even tougher challenge. But Reus's defensive style wasn't about brute strength. As a fan of Reus, Lucas remembered how the German star used his tactical intelligence to outmaneuver stronger opponents.

Just as Joel entered the penalty area and was about to lift the ball for a powerful shot, he suddenly realized the ball wasn't in his control. Looking down, he saw that Lucas had managed to poke the ball away just as Joel was about to take his shot!

"What?!" Joel couldn't believe it. He, a seasoned pro, was stripped of the ball by a player just graduated from the youth echelon!

Conor, observing from the sidelines, was equally astonished. Lucas had timed the tackle perfectly! No ordinary rookie could make such a judgment. If they could, they wouldn't be rookies at all!

But miraculously, Lucas had done it.

After stealing the ball, Lucas quickly launched a long pass to Reggie, who had sprinted ahead, already clear of defenders.

Marco Reus was known for his vision and ability to create opportunities for his teammates. Naturally, Lucas had inherited these traits from Reus.

If it weren't for injuries, Marco Reus would have been considered the most versatile attacking midfielder, not just one of the best in Germany.

Reggie caught the ball cleanly, with Lucas's pass landing perfectly at his feet. The 1.89-meter forward looked at his position, just outside the box!

Without hesitation, Reggie fired off a powerful shot! A strike right into the top corner!

"Hahaha, great pass, Lucas!" Reggie shouted joyfully after the goal, pointing back at Lucas in gratitude.

Lucas pointed back at Reggie, returning the gesture.

Beside Lucas, Joel's face was already red with frustration. Lucas, who had time-traveled from 2024, really wanted to tell Joel, "Don't worry, life is like a rape, if you can't help it, enjoy it."

Then again, it might be better to say that you play like an Academy player.

Too bad this big oaf wouldn't understand the reference. When trash-talking, it's important to consider whether the other person can even understand you. This is one of the downsides of being a time traveler.

"Keep it up, Lucas! Keep going!"

On the sidelines, Coach Conor, bald and sharp-eyed, actually cheered Lucas on. The coach never liked Joel's arrogance. The way Joel carried himself, it was as if he was better than the rest of these "local" League One players just because he had been sent down from the Premier League.

Joel's attitude had long earned him a negative score in Conor's book.

And Conor also wanted to see what else Lucas could do. Maybe this kid was finally starting to realize his potential.

"The warm-up's over, kid!" Joel snarled, furious that a kid had just shown him up. A player sent down from the Premier League, getting outplayed by a third-division player? Unthinkable!

This time, Joel didn't bother with any fancy footwork. Forget playing like a skilled player; this time, Joel intended to bulldoze the Brazilian kid with his favorite low tank charge.

Joel muscled his way inside the box, using his back to hold Lucas off, and raised his hand to call for the ball.

The others were getting tired of Joel hogging the spotlight. Did he think he was the only player on the pitch?

But not wanting to upset Joel further, the midfielder still sent the ball in.

Joel had dominated in the box during his time in the Championship, boasting a high conversion rate. But his success wasn't due to finesse; he'd simply elbow defenders out of the way and smash the ball into the net.

But Lucas wasn't falling for that. In his later years, Marco Reus was known for his steady defending and experience, and Lucas wasn't about to let this brute get past him easily. Lucas slyly held onto Joel's waist, making it difficult for him to apply his full strength. Using the experience of an old pro to handle a younger, physically stronger player was a bit unfair.

But Joel had no idea about this. He thought he was the one doing the bullying.

Joel pushed back twice, realizing he wasn't making much headway. He tried to turn and breakthrough but found Lucas had already closed off his route.

"Damn it!" Joel lost his patience. Everyone was watching. If he didn't score, he'd be embarrassed. Passing the ball would make him look even worse!

So, Joel tried a quick turn and shot. But his turning speed was slow; he was good at charging directly, not turning to shoot.

Lucas raised his feet, barely needing to make more effort, and blocked Brockman's shot.

As expected, the "Big Bear" missed, and the attack failed!

Teammates cast disgusted glances at Joel. He should have passed the ball earlier. If you want to hog the play, then at least score. If you can't score or pass, who do you think you are, Lionel Messi?

"You're as soft as a marshmallow, Joel," Lucas taunted Joel before sprinting forward to join the counter-attack.

Lucas, in his previous life, wasn't the type to provoke others since he himself wasn't that good, but if someone challenged him, he wouldn't back down.

Because Lucas always believed that respect was a two-way street. If you don't respect me, why should I respect you?

Reggie respected Lucas, so Lucas naturally treated him well. Joel didn't respect Lucas, so he'd get what was coming to him.

On the next attack, Lucas calmly scored a low, curling shot from just inside the box, successfully leading the team on a 3-0 run.

Long shots, dribbling, defense, passing... Conor was quite satisfied with Link's performance today. It seems that the fall the day before yesterday woke him up instead.

The bald coach touched his chin. In the next match, maybe he can increase the playing time of that brat.

If Lucas can maintain his form, he should become the X factor for the team.