He thought, in terms of experience, he was far inferior to his opponent. In the youth team of a China League One club, he couldn’t even play many matches in a year; youth team competitions in Chinese clubs were extremely irregular. And what about Russian youth teams? Although he didn’t understand the Russian league system, he felt that the level in Russia must be higher than in China—they should have their own formal youth league, right?

If he couldn’t compete in experience, what about skill?

Similarly, the opponent’s skills were better than his. Ethan Brooks had already noticed this in several previous confrontations.

So what else could he rely on?

Physicality!

Yes, physicality!

This time the collision was a foul, but Ethan Brooks felt he still had the advantage physically.

He had cared too much about “positioning,” “getting to the ball,” and “technique” before—all of which meant using his own weaknesses to fight against the opponent’s strengths...

How could he have been so foolish?

He had the physique, so why not use it? He was so tall, so strong—why compete with them in technique? What’s the point of wasting energy? If you can smash a window with a hammer, why bother with a glass cutter? He’d just play the physical game with them and see who could outplay him!

Foul for charging?

Ethan Brooks couldn’t care less. He just wanted to drive the ball into CSKA Moscow’s goal. If he could crash the defender and the ball into the net together, even better!

You want to humiliate me? Then I’ll make things difficult for you too!

※※※

Latysh, who was waiting on the sidelines to watch the joke, had a slight change of expression when he saw Ethan Brooks knock Savelyev aside.

Savelyev was the main center-back of the youth team. Although he was only 1.82 meters tall, he was very strong. Even in a pure physical contest, he shouldn’t have lost out so badly—watching from the sidelines, it didn’t even look like Ethan Brooks had crashed into him, but rather like he’d run into a wall and then fallen flat on his back.

It seemed that the talkative Chinese man hadn’t lied about one thing—his son really was strong...

But so what?

Latysh’s expression quickly returned to normal, and he looked at Ethan Brooks with a hint of mockery.

Strong, but not smart.

Did he really think he could dominate the field with brute force alone? What about those headers he bragged about? How many times had it been now? Seven or eight? Not a single header had gone in—not even one on target, let alone a goal!

Good at headers? Ha!

※※※

Savelyev got up from the ground. His teammates didn’t come over to help him up; instead, they just laughed at him. He knew he’d messed up—he’d wanted to show off, but ended up making a fool of himself...

His teammates had already been a bit annoyed with him for always playing for himself, so they were happy to see him embarrassed.

Don’t think that foreign football clubs don’t have this kind of tension. Maybe they don’t show it as openly as in China, but they still have their own rivalries and little schemes...

Savelyev knew his teammates were waiting to see him make a fool of himself. He absolutely couldn’t let them have their way. Today was a gift from God—he had to seize this opportunity to firmly establish his place in the mind of assistant coach Latysh, and lay a solid foundation for his next step up to the first team.

“That damn bastard... Damn it, I’ll show you what I’m made of!” Staring hard at Ethan Brooks’s back, Savelyev swore to himself.

※※※

Ethan Brooks was completely unaware that he’d already become the target.

He shouted to the teammate on the wing who was responsible for passing to him, “Again!”

As long as you don’t end this match, I’ll keep competing with you! You think you’ve humiliated me?

Get ready to taste this slap, CSKA!

Chapter 3: Who else?!

Ethan Brooks rolled up his sleeves, ready for a fierce battle with his opponents.

He waved to the wing and shouted, “Again!”

Then he faced the defenders head-on, preparing to charge in and fight for the ball in the air.

He saw the youth team defender who had been marking him all along.

Before, he had been defeated by this guy again and again—the opponent’s disdain and irritation had brought him repeated failures and pain.

In contrast to his opponent, he looked especially pitiful—a big guy over 1.9 meters tall, yet unable to win a single aerial duel against someone half a head shorter...

In others’ eyes, falling to the ground again and again, unable to win a header, he must have looked like a stray dog.

And that defender had always looked down on him from above. As for the look in his eyes, Ethan Brooks could easily guess.

Now, facing this opponent, Ethan Brooks suddenly grinned, revealing his white teeth.

※※※

Savelyev was a bit surprised—the guy across from him suddenly smiled at him.

Was this kid trying to be friendly?

Get lost, I don’t need your friendliness!

I’m going to teach you a lesson! Right where you think you’re strongest—in the air!

Savelyev shifted his gaze away and stared at the wing.