Chapter 39: A 75-Rated Shot! Facing Karius? (Three Chapters Combined)
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The vast farmland and sparsely scattered villages gradually disappeared from both sides of the car window. The Wolfsburg team bus slowly entered an expanse of continuous forest; dense coniferous trees covered the rolling hills, bringing a calm mood and fresh air. This was the state of Hesse, known as the “Green Heart” of Germany.
“Li, I really envy you,” said Maranda sincerely, occasionally glancing down at his book.
“You’re the heir to Manchester United, now the central figure of Wolfsburg’s midfield, and everyone treats you kindly.”
“You’re handsome too, with so many girls liking you.”
“The media loves you, always portraying you positively.”
“Your commercial value is recognized, and your endorsement income is high...”
Li Luo, gazing out the window, turned his head in mild surprise. “Why are you so eloquent today?”
“You told me to read more...” the little black egg held up the book in his hand, its cover titled The Art of Speaking.
Li Luo suddenly understood and encouraged him: “Study hard. You won’t end up poor after retirement.”
“Yeah! Then I’ll drive you around every day, saving you the cost of hiring a driver.”
“Ha ha,” Li Luo smiled.
His life at present was indeed very satisfactory.
However, a major challenge was looming: the upcoming international A-level competition... He couldn’t let fans from China down.
He hoped that after tonight’s Bundesliga match ended, he could draw an instant combat module from the blind box—preferably one with a “boom boom boom” autonomous attacking ability.
...
Gradually, the scenery outside the window changed again.
“We’re entering the Rhine Valley.”
“What a magnificent scene.”
Black Gold couldn’t help humming a childhood folk song from his hometown.
He was born in a small village by the Rhine River; his parents were miners, and the whole family were fans of Schalke 04.
Through the window, the group saw historic medieval castles and vineyards, as if stepping into a breathtaking fairy tale world.
“I heard that a Polish game series, The Witcher, will shoot a DLC here next year. It’s called Blood and Wine, and the revealed map is Toussaint.”
“There’s a young Polish model named Nika Beyer who often shares Li’s highlight videos on social media.”
“Heh heh, if I were Li, I definitely wouldn’t let them go!”
“Those tabloid newspapers... even published large spreads of photos of Li and Morata—such bad taste. More ridiculously, The Sun ran a rebuttal.”
Bendtner spoke enthusiastically.
Everyone laughed heartily.
Li Luo held his tablet, watching footage of their opponent Mainz’s matches.
In the back seat, De Bruyne stood and leaned forward, saying, “Their coach Tuchel is suspended for one match, so tonight’s pressure won’t be too much.”
Tuchel at this time could be called a “0.5-tier Bundesliga coach.”
Mainz’s record and tactical system had long proven his strength.
He was the only coach in history to have scored full marks in the German Football Association’s theoretical exam.
Germany’s theory focused on tactics.
Italy’s emphasis was different: Allegri’s thesis was “The Three Midfields,” about 20 pages describing how to foster mutual understanding, resolve conflicts, and maintain relationships among three midfielders; Sarri’s 50-page thesis, more like a diary, covered what to feed players, what to train, how long to rest, private chats, whether to interfere in private lives, and what words to motivate.
In short,
Tonight’s Mainz wouldn’t be easy to deal with. Even without Tuchel’s on-site command, he would certainly have arranged the opening moves.
Many media believed that the constant tactical tweaks and opponent-specific plans each week in the big five leagues were initiated by Tuchel.
...
At the Brückweg base,
Mainz players were doing simple set-piece drills.
Assistant coach El couldn’t help grumbling, “Boss, why did you fight with the opponent last round? It made tonight’s on-field command difficult.”
Tuchel retorted, “That wasn’t a fight, just a physical clash.”
He had a quick temper and didn’t get along well with the club executives.
But he was a good person, treating colleagues, players, and fans well.
“Stick to the planned tactics, and Wolfsburg won’t escape unscathed.”
He didn’t finish the sentence.
Tuchel believed Mainz’s defense would struggle to withstand Wolfsburg’s offense.
There was a hardware gap.
...
Mainz’s lineup included two Korean players and one Japanese player.
The media had already started the hype.
“Korean media: The two Korean heroes will make Li Luo face the toughest battle of his career.”
“Japanese media: Okazaki-san, please do your best to stop China’s Qilin, we’re counting on you.”
In the comments section:
-“Mainz’s two Koreans are aggressive in duels; to put it nicely, they’re intense; to be blunt, they play dirty.”
-“Please don’t injure Li Luo.”
-“People say Korean players post-2002 aren’t so dirty? Must be watching too many K-dramas.”
-“I think Tuchel’s on-field command needs improvement. Whether he’s present or not, Mainz’s fighting spirit is similar; tactical adjustments depend on whether the assistants dare take responsibility.”
-“My impression of Mainz: The 15th-century Gutenberg revolution—they copied the movable type printing from the Yongle Encyclopedia, then became famous in Europe.”
-“Another view is that they stood on the shoulders of giants, overcoming various technical challenges.”
...
Night fell.
Romanesque and Gothic architecture emitted a strange beauty under the lights.
The outline of Coface Arena gradually became clear in the dusk.
The smooth outer walls were outlined by soft red light, warming the atmosphere for the upcoming match.
As a modern stadium opened in 2011, its facilities were excellent, especially its advanced underfloor heating system, constantly helping staff fend off the cold.
Fans in the stands sang the team anthem with anticipation.
“Zhuang Dian’er Tai! Zhuang Dian’er Tai! Good evening, dear viewers.”
“Now broadcasting the 2014/15 Bundesliga season, Round 7.”
“Mainz at home against Wolfsburg.”
“What sparks will fly between the Rhine Cannons and Wolfsburg?”
“Mainz’s style over the past decade has been thrilling; Klopp and Tuchel injected wild genes into this club.”
“Tonight will likely be another fierce attacking showdown.”
...
In the players’ tunnel,
Koo Ja-cheol and Park Chu-ho stared at Li Luo’s back with complicated expressions.
The two Koreans fought hard in the Bundesliga; according to Korean media, “They sometimes lose rhythm leading to fouls, but it’s not truly dirty play.”
Okazaki Shinji was not as enthusiastic as previous Japanese players.
He was not sentimental and had a peculiar personality.
In front of teammates, he teased a teammate’s wife, saying, “Haven’t seen you for a few days, your ** has grown again.”
Clap clap clap.
Mainz goalkeeper Loris Karius walked from the back, patting his teammates confidently on the chest: “With me here, Wolfsburg won’t score!”
His voice was loud.
Wolfsburg players turned their heads.
De Bruyne said seriously, “That guy is really strong...”
Li Luo turned back and added, “Yeah, I’ve watched his videos; his footwork is excellent.”
...
Karius happened to overhear the Chinese youth’s praise.
His mouth twitched.
“You praise a goalkeeper’s footwork? That’s not a comprehensive compliment!”
...
The referees led both teams out of the tunnel.
Coface Arena grew more and more electrified.
A hot air balloon emblazoned with the Bundesliga logo slowly ascended.
“Now introducing the starting lineups.”
“Mainz deploys a 5-4-1 formation!”
“Goalkeeper: Karius.”
“Defenders: Brosinski, Stefan, Bungert, Hara, Park Chu-ho.”
“Midfielders: Koo Ja-cheol, Soto, Geis, Arlaj.”
“Forward: Okazaki Shinji.”
“Tuchel’s deployment tonight still essentially uses a three-center-back system.”
“The most advanced use of wing-backs as midfielders originated from Genoa’s bald coach a few years ago... then Guardiola refined it. Tuchel admires Guardiola’s tactical philosophy and adapted it to Mainz’s system.”
...
“Wolfsburg sets up a 4-2-3-1 formation!”
“Goalkeeper: Benaglio.”
“Defenders: Sebastian, Naldo, Knoche, Ricardo.”
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“Midfielders: Caligiuri, Gustavo, Li Luo, Maranda, De Bruyne.”
“Forwards: Bendtner.”
...
The coin toss phase ended.
Beep!
The referee’s whistle sounded, and the match officially began.
Wolfsburg had possession.
Bendtner kicked off, passing back to the defense.
Mainz’s 5-4-1 formation was not a turtle shell but pressed high aggressively.
“So fierce.”
“Which side is the wolf pack here?”
The ball rolled swiftly across the grass to Wolfsburg center-back Naldo.
Okazaki Shinji fiercely closed in.
Snap.
He disrupted Wolfsburg’s buildup.
Fortunately, Gustavo fell back early to the defense line, controlled the ball, and passed back to the goalkeeper.
The stands erupted with applause.
“Okazaki Shinji doesn’t resemble typical Japanese players. His footwork is crude, his shooting often wild, and his fouls rank among the top forwards in the Bundesliga...”
“But his off-ball awareness is excellent, his positioning strong, and he is active in defense and pressing...”
Coach Zhang held back his critique.
Because he saw Wolfsburg’s goalkeeper pass to the retreating Li Luo, and the Korean player Koo Ja-cheol went in for a tackle directly!
“Oh no!”
...
Snap.
Li Luo kicked the ball.
Using his spatial awareness, he passed accurately to a teammate on the flank and preempted the sliding tackle from Koo Ja-cheol.
He lightly leapt.
Gracefully evading Koo’s flying tackle.
Coach Zhang wanted to curse.
The hoarse-voiced commentator cursed the Korean player in his heart, calling him a jerk trying to injure someone.
“Close call...”
Before he finished,
At the next moment,
Li Luo’s feet landed and accidentally stomped hard on Koo Ja-cheol’s back.
Wolfsburg’s assistant coaches exhaled: the Chinese youth, often lumbered by Bundesliga tough guys, had no bad intentions.
It must be a coincidence.
...
Close-up microphones caught a painful scream.
The stadium was stunned.
Such a big incident at kickoff?
The referee didn’t stop the game, raising both arms, signaling Wolfsburg to continue attacking.
“No problem. If Koo Ja-cheol hadn’t tackled so hard, he wouldn’t have been stepped on by Li Luo.”
...
Wolfsburg’s attacking unit crossed the center line.
They expanded into a fan-shaped formation.
Okazaki shouted at Koo Ja-cheol.
“Get back!”
“Speak properly! Don’t argue with the referee.”
...
By now, Li Luo and his Wolfsburg teammates had developed excellent chemistry.
He constantly shifted diagonally and passed.
Like weaving layer upon layer of a net.
Silently dismantling Mainz’s midfield barrier.
On the stands, Tuchel’s expression was complex.
“Playing so smoothly!”
“De Bruyne... stopped beautifully.”
“No space to shoot, Mainz switched back to five defenders.”
“Clear thinking, handing the organization back to Li Luo.”
“This is the renowned Black Gold’s dual-core system.”
Before Li Luo received the ball,
He had already noticed the aggressive approach of Park Chu-ho.
Another Korean trying to lumber him?
...
However, as a wing-back, Park Chu-ho wouldn’t easily slide tackle in his own half.
In this era, midfield and forward players might slide to slow the opponent’s attack.
Defenders had to be cautious.
Maldini once said, “If I have to make a slide tackle, it means I’ve already made a mistake.”
At this moment,
Park Chu-ho quickly closed in, preparing to dirty up Li Luo while the referee’s view was blind—to vent for Koo Ja-cheol.
Immediately,
As Li Luo received the ball,
He gently tapped the outside of his right foot.
One-on-one with the ball, he created distance from the Korean wing-back.
“Elegant!”
“Pass!”
“Wow! That pass just caught the weak side of Mainz’s defense exposed after Park Chu-ho pressed up.”
“Bendtner on the flank!”
“Mainz’s defense showed no sign of panic; their goalkeeper Karius is highly talented and gifted, called the ‘Li Luo of goalkeepers’!”
...
Bendtner once played winger for Arsenal.
At 193 cm tall, playing on the flank?
Back then, Wenger valued him highly, believing a potential genius striker must master rotation and versatile skills to fit dynamic attacking systems.
Simply put, the Arsenal coach believed wingers should learn striker techniques and vice versa to avoid obsolescence.
...
“Wow, like embroidery by Zhang Fei.”
“Bendtner dribbled past Hara.”
“Cutting inside...”
“Can he cut inside?”
“Ricardo came inside, passed it.”
Ricardo’s technique was good; with one touch he entered Mainz’s penalty area, dribbling along the baseline.
Coface Arena erupted with gasps.
Snap.
A reverse triangle pass.
At the top of the penalty arc, a blonde figure made a timely run.
De Bruyne.
He raised his arms, swung his leg.
Everyone thought he would shoot...
But close-up microphones captured a gentle touch.
“A through ball.”
“Li Luo.”
“How did he get to that position?”
Just after passing to Bendtner, Li Luo immediately accelerated and slithered into Mainz’s penalty area like an eel.
In a side-on posture,
Facing the rolling ball, he instinctively made a slight kicking motion.
A 75-point shot.
A perfect peak for a Chinese Super League foreign player.
No control.
No adjustment.
Bang.
An elegant and calm push shot.
Causing the two Mainz center-backs about to mark him tightly to look horrified.
“Karius!”
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“Oh no, a mistake!”
The ball was touched by the purple gloves, deflecting into the net.
0:1!!!
The whole stadium sighed.
Li Luo did not celebrate alone but turned around to run back, high-fiving and embracing De Bruyne.
Wolfsburg teammates bounced over, joining the celebration.
...
“Too easy.”
“Li Luo has fully integrated into Wolfsburg’s system.”
“He’s even an indispensable part of the system.”
“Spotting defensive flaws.”
“Phantom runs, deadly strike.”
“No worries about shooting skills; his level at Manchester United youth team was very high.”
“De Bruyne’s through ball... sublime.”
“The dragon and phoenix duo helped Wolfsburg take the lead.”
...
In the live broadcast chatroom:
-“Li Luo is so handsome, easy goal.”
-“Awesome.”
-“Normal performance, all sit down.”
-“Karius touched the ball; maybe his save technique is flawed.”
-“Do we even need to watch Li Luo’s matches? Bet all on the first half; bet all on the full match goals.”
-“Don’t celebrate too early; Mainz attacks fiercely; Wolfsburg may not hold on.”
...
Some rejoiced; others worried.
Okazaki Shinji was furious, complaining to the two Korean teammates, “Your timing to foul Li was wrong. You’re responsible for this conceded goal.”
“The timing of fouls is an art!”
Koo Ja-cheol and Park Chu-ho did not refute, their expressions complicated.
Karius rubbed his face in frustration, then stood up, loudly encouraging teammates: “My mistake, no problem; we’ll push back. Wolfsburg won’t score a second!”
He had risen from third-choice goalkeeper to starting keeper through hard work.
Everyone in the locker room liked him and was willing to communicate.
So he played confidently at this time.
He wanted to take responsibility and become the team’s leader.
...
At the sidelines,
Black Gold clapped excitedly.
“Don’t relax.”
“The match just started; Mainz’s defense is average, but be wary of their attack.”
The assistant nodded seriously: “Next, low-block defense.”
On the other side,
Mainz assistant coach El paced anxiously.
Waiting for what?
Waiting for Tuchel to pass down a note from the stands...
.....
[Shock level +1!]
[Shock level +1!]
[...]
Li Luo ended his celebration, looking at the steadily rising numbers on the system panel.
He thought, after tonight’s match, he must draw an instant combat module...
International A-level match.
Definitely not as easy as Wolfsburg’s routine Bundesliga matches.
Of course, Mainz wasn’t weak.
Just relatively weaker on paper, average defense, and facing a suspended head coach.
...
The match restarted at midfield.
Cheers at Coface Arena grew louder.
Mainz fans were not depressed by the deficit; instead, they were full of confidence.
Confident in their team’s attack.
“In internet slang, their tactics... are very attractive.”
“Full army pressing!”
“Attack and counterattack!”
“It’s do or die.”
“Heh heh heh, that 5-4-1 formation turned into 2-2-6! Too crazy!”
“Karius stood at the center line, like Neuer.”
At this historical moment, Tuchel was still developing.
Not only players needed time to mature, but coaches also needed time to improve.
...
Aggressive play always made the audience feel time passed quickly.
Wolfsburg parked the bus.
Mainz’s positional attacks were extremely smooth.
The armored fat wolf, lined up as the Rhine Cannons, launched a furious assault!
At the 18th minute,
Wolfsburg got a good counterattack chance.
Caligiuri received the ball on the flank and suddenly sprinted, but made a mistake in the 40-meter zone near midfield.
Koo Ja-cheol successfully stole the ball.
The next moment,
A shadow of pitch-black appeared in his sight.
Maranda.
Smack.
The Korean player was knocked flying.
The little black egg bent over, trying to force an “angry” expression, saying, “You tackle Li, I tackle you!”
This was also the instruction Black Gold gave him before every match.
Koo Ja-cheol’s face twisted in pain, clutching his ankle and rolling on the ground.
“I didn’t even tackle Li Luo! Is this black guy’s brain delayed? Or holding a grudge? Too painful, sumida!”
...
“No problem.”
“Maranda touched the ball first, took down Koo Ja-cheol.”
“Mainz throw-in.”
“Oh no.”
“Park Chu-ho and Li Luo pushed each other twice, then Knoche knocked him down.”
“The scene got a bit out of control, both teams’ players swarmed.”
Wolfsburg players knew the reason.
The Korean opponents kept trying to offend their prize... uh, their Li!
They had to show them some color!
Booing erupted from all four stands at Coface Arena.
...
In the live broadcast chatroom,
Messages flew.
-“I told you, Koreans are still dirty, just not blatantly as before.”
-“Li Luo is cunning; in the mêlée... he won’t lose.”
-“Bendtner’s actions are too obvious, brute!”
-“He’s a meat shield!”
-“Wolfsburg and Mainz aren’t archrivals; mainly the two Koreans want to disrupt Wolfsburg’s midfield core, so they keep targeting Li Luo.”
-“De Bruyne is about to stomp!”
-“In such mêlées, De Bruyne looks like an angry good student.”
...
Minutes later, the chaos subsided.
The referee talked with both captains, then signaled to continue.
Mainz assistant coach El also received Tuchel’s note and quickly relayed the tactical adjustments to the players on the field.