Chapter 40: The Small Note (Two-in-One)

As time passed, Thomas Tuchel’s little notes began to exert their magic. Mainz’s positional attack grew increasingly threatening, as if the "Rheinhessen Artillery" had gained a commander wielding a sharp sword, striking precisely at the armored "Fat Wolf." The atmosphere at the Coface Arena intensified; the home fans were invigorated by a familiar style of play, while the traveling Wolfsburg supporters grew fearful. The scene looked as if a goal could erupt at any moment.

"A game of space," the commentators noted. "Mainz’s tactical approach to positional play is becoming clearer."

"Soto! Oh, that was close! A crucial clearance by Wolfsburg’s defensive midfielder, Luiz Gustavo."

Mainz’s offensive pressure was fierce, but the Wolfsburg players were no fools. During a dead-ball period, Kevin De Bruyne tried to decipher the opponent's attacking structure: "Tuchel’s 5-4-1 changes in possession... Mainz’s two center-backs are widening the pitch, leaving one to push up to the front line. Both wing-backs have surged to the very front, switching into winger roles. The two central midfielders are occupying the half-spaces, while the two deep-lying midfielders are also spreading out to support the secondary attack and provide passing lanes. Then, the rotation between the wings and the center, the front and the back..."

"The core is to constantly create local numerical superiority in the half-spaces and reinforce the secondary attack! Li, he must have figured out the key to breaking this deadlock, right?"

He turned to look, only to see Li Luo gesturing to "keep parking the bus."

"...Not doing your homework again?"

On the sidelines, Dieter Hecking looked lost, constantly moving the small magnetic flags on his tactical board. He appeared visibly aggrieved. Last season, the "bully the weak, fear the strong" tactical system that the Wolfsburg coach took such pride in was dismantled by Tuchel, leading other clubs to copy the strategy and drag Wolfsburg down. The assistant coaches wore equally grave expressions; leading by only one goal against Tuchel’s Mainz did not feel secure.

In the stands, the suspended Mainz coach, Thomas Tuchel, crossed his arms and looked down at the Chinese teenager on the pitch. "His observational skills are not only reflected in the attack but also shine brightly in defense. Every piece of cooperative defense is critical. His individual defensive ability is average, but his positioning, the mastery of defensive spacing, and his command of the backline... it can be called brilliant. It’s a pity... a true midfield genius must possess the ability to break a deadlock."

In the live stream, the chat was buzzing:
"Why aren't they scoring? Shoot a three-pointer, Li Luo!"
"Mainz is no pushover; they have high morale at home, and their positional attack is fierce."
"Tuchel is talented; he might coach a giant club and win the Champions League in the future."
"Wolfsburg is being pinned down."
"Don't tell me Mainz is going to equalize?"

The gloom of being on the back foot quietly spread. Defending is inherently more physically demanding. Yet, Li Luo remained calm. Wolfsburg led by one goal, and through the geometric models in his spatial awareness, he understood all the dynamic information. Everything was under control. It wasn't that he couldn't break the deadlock; during the phases without possession, his abilities couldn't support the dismantling methods of Matthäus or Beckenbauer, nor could he reorganize the entire system to collapse the opponent's attacking chain like Cruyff.

"Here it comes!"
"Shinji Okazaki! Wow! A bicycle kick! Stunning!"
"Oh, he missed it, he kicked at thin air! Knoche, clear the ball, hurry!"
"Hehe, he passed it to Li Luo... Mainz is quickly organizing a counter-press."

The Mainz attacking group had no time to regret the miss. They ran with all their might, strictly executing the coaching staff's deployment. The commentator felt Mainz was aggressive, refusing to retreat and instead keeping their troops pressed forward.

De Bruyne sprinted forward, trying to stretch the width for a counterattack and provide Li Luo with a pivot point. His brain raced: "How to dismantle Mainz’s counter-pressing shape? The flanks? No, the space on the wings is a deliberate trap set by Tuchel... The center-back who pushed up to the front line is already sprinting back to bolster the high defensive line the moment they lose the ball."

"Li? Li’s gesture! Li is starting to do his homework! Yes, having possession is the foundation for breaking the deadlock!"

On the sidelines, Hecking was frantic, pressing his tactical board in frustration. In the stands, the suspended Tuchel remained calm. Everything was under control. The key to Mainz’s counter-press was to disrupt Wolfsburg’s rhythm and deny them the time and space to transition into an attack.

"Li Luo’s progression! No, he didn't push forward. Seeing Brosinski pressing up, he passed the ball to Malanda, who was surging through the middle."

Malanda had solid fundamental skills. He didn't overthink it. Seeing Li Luo’s gesture, he pushed up slightly and shifted the ball to the other side.

"Ricardo. He’s starting to burst down the flank..." Ricardo had also observed Li Luo’s gesture. He didn't choose to clash head-on with Park Joo-ho. *Slap.* He passed to De Bruyne, who had cut inside. The Belgian genius, currently in his muscle-building phase, switched into violent-progression mode!

Tuchel couldn't help but stand up. From his high seat, he overlooked the pitch. In his vision, Wolfsburg’s transition attack moved with quick, diagonal passes, drawing Mainz’s pressing net toward the flanks. Like a knife cutting horizontally, it severed the pressing net.

"The central barrier has been weakened. It’s okay, there’s still a chance... No! The finishing point isn't in the middle!"

Li Luo had already accelerated. Along the half-space, he sprinted desperately. *Slap.* A crisp sound of contact came through the near-field microphone.

"De Bruyne! That through ball... it curves! A rainbow arc! Li Luo! No offside!"

Bendtner thought De Bruyne was passing to him. It was only while turning that he saw the ball bypass the Mainz high defensive line and curve around. However, he had coincidentally dragged a Mainz center-back away.

De Bruyne’s pass was perfection. The moment Li Luo touched the ball, he knew he didn't need any extra adjustment. He pushed it forward. Two Mainz center-backs were closing in. Facing the keeper, Karius, rushing out, Li Luo—with his 75-rated shooting—leaned his body slightly forward, took a small swing, and... *Snap!*

The ball was delicately chipped, clearing Karius’s head, tracing a light "∩" arc in mid-air, and finally dropping gently into the net. 0-2!

The stadium gasped. "Beautiful! Another goal! Li Luo breaks through the Mainz goal again with a graceful chip. A brace! That was so effortless. A wonderful arc," the commentator marveled.

Wolfsburg’s higher-ups were ecstatic. Every one of Li Luo’s goals increased his commercial value. The Wolfsburg fans were in heaven, waving their massive flags in the away section, cheering until they were hoarse. Li Luo clapped and turned to give De Bruyne a thumbs up, feeling the state-of-the-art heating system beneath his feet.

[Shock value +1!]
[Shock value +1!]

His teammates swarmed him. "Li, you’re amazing. The man who makes the game easier! I thought you didn't know how to solve the problem this time, but it turns out you knew everything."

Li Luo high-fived and hugged his teammates, saying earnestly, "The credit doesn't belong to me alone; it belongs to the whole team." It was true, not just modesty. Wolfsburg’s players were strong by Bundesliga standards. Once he provided the solution, his teammates had the high-efficiency execution to carry it out.

On the sidelines, Hecking beamed, rushing to the touchline with his assistants, fists raised. "I knew it! I knew we would extend our lead. Whatever flashy tactical adjustments Tuchel makes, they will look pale and powerless in the face of a gap in quality."

In the stands, Tuchel touched his slightly balding head in confusion. "So that’s how it is? When Wolfsburg doesn't have possession, Li patiently waits for the opportunity. When they do, that’s when he solves the problem... Unparalleled vision. Incredible thinking speed."

Karius hammered the turf in frustration, his handsome face looking devastated. "That kid isn't good at shooting; he had no preamble... no feints at all. He didn't change his foot shape for the shot... I fell for it. No, I didn't! I did..."

In the live stream, slow-motion replays played from every angle.
"So handsome."
"He actually chose a chip, so elegant."
"Unruffled and calm."
"After adapting to the Wolfsburg system, Li is showing reliable shooting skills."
"It’s normal, he’s at the level of a reliable Manchester United heir, though I don't know if he can perform normally if he returns to United; Van Gaal changes his center-back pairing every single game, it’s hilarious."

As the game entered stoppage time, De Bruyne took a corner. Knoche received the ball, took a few steps, and crossed. Naldo leaped high, heading the ball into the net. 0-3! The Coface Arena echoed with sighs of helplessness.

Finally, the referee blew the final whistle. Li Luo took off his jersey and threw it to the traveling Wolfsburg fans. They responded with a cheerful nursery rhyme:
"Li, Li, Li~ Our commander, Li, Li, Li~ Our midfield master, Li, Li, Li~ Leading Wolfsburg to victory, Li~ Li~ Li~"

Across multiple competitions, the continuous winning streak made the Wolfsburg fans adore the Chinese teenager on loan from Manchester United. They had spontaneously created the "Song of Li Luo" and taught it to their children, hoping never to forget his journey at Wolfsburg.

Karius, looking dejected, walked to the advertising boards for an interview. "Li’s shooting is average; I just made a mistake. On the first goal, my positioning and judgment were fine; I touched the ball, but it deflected in. On the second, I thought he would use a feint like other geniuses, but he didn't... well, he anticipated my anticipation."