Chapter 11: Bundesliga Debut!
Cheshire.
Under the veil of night, the village of Hale was wrapped in a gentle mist.
Ding! Ding ding!
The clock struck seven.
“Oh! A few Manchester United fans stroll along the cobblestone alleyways, catching sight through the glass window of Ferguson’s weathered face illuminated by the warm yellow glow of the hearth. For them, this is a night full of surprises... Sir, do you still prefer to savor the aroma first?”
“Jack, what nonsense are you spouting? Speak properly.”
“All right, Sir, the Bundesliga match between Wolfsburg and their opponent will kick off in half an hour.”
Ferguson rubbed his forehead. “I’m a bit tired. Who cares about Wolfsburg’s result? I’m only interested in Li’s performance.”
Jack nodded earnestly in agreement. “The Sir’s right. I trust Hei Jin—he won’t let Li pick up any bad habits, like La Masia’s possession style or the Italian metronome rhythm... those things have significant flaws for an independent individual; they’re not suitable for the future Manchester United.”
“Can you use simpler words, kid? It’s a straightforward matter, but you always make it complicated. Never mind, I’m tired. Take me home.”
It wasn’t that Ferguson enjoyed criticizing Jack.
Many years ago, during Manchester United’s initial phase of embracing continental European philosophies, he had a conversation with a technical team and came to one conclusion: complex ‘theories’ must be simplified into something easily understood by players.
Sadly, few of his successors could achieve that.
...
Manchester.
Van Gaal and the coaching staff busily prepared for the next Premier League round.
Giggs wanted to watch Li Luo’s Bundesliga debut but had no time and would have to catch the highlights tomorrow.
Many Manchester United staff also worried about their ‘crown prince.’
“No problem.”
“Li’s ability will allow him to adapt to the Bundesliga quickly.”
“I watched him grow up in the youth academy. His only weakness is heading—even though he scored a header in his Premier League debut, that was a stationary header, chosen by anticipation, not a legendary striker’s powerful aerial finish.”
“When he returns to revive Manchester United, we’ll be raking in bonuses again.”
...
Under the night sky, the Volkswagen Arena’s glass facade shimmered with a cold metallic sheen, perfectly matching the industrial character of this automotive city.
Green flags, green jerseys, green glow sticks formed streams of emerald outside the stadium.
Green was Wolfsburg’s signature color.
Pre-match interview.
Kevin De Bruyne stood before the advertising boards, fielding questions from the German media.
“How has Li Luo performed in training? What do you think of his level?”
Reporters knew the Belgian midfielder’s temperament at this moment: disdainful of lies, never flattering, honest yet irritable.
“Li is a true genius.”
De Bruyne recalled the torrential training match, unconsciously showing an expression of amazement.
The reporters exchanged glances.
...
Wolfsburg locker room.
The coaching staff repeated the pre-match strategy twice, then left the rest of the time for players to rest and adjust mentally.
Li Luo felt a trace of nervousness.
Making his first start and playing the full match—how could he not be nervous?
He had repeatedly watched footage of the opponents.
Setting aside tactical analysis based on spatial awareness modules, just discussing concepts on paper:
Several Bundesliga powerhouses played at a fierce pace and physical level, rivaling the Premier League, which massively boosted the Bundesliga’s UEFA coefficients.
However,
Tonight’s opponent—Eintracht Frankfurt—was in a historic slump, strong in attack but weak in defense, mired in difficulties last season, and this summer’s transfer spending had focused again on offense.
The new head coach disliked defensive parking the bus; he was ready to fight head-on, whoever defends is the loser.
...
Far away, in Huaguo.
Many fans heard the familiar voice coming from their televisions.
“Good evening, dear viewers!”
“Now we bring you live coverage of the 2014/15 Bundesliga Round 2.”
“Wolfsburg versus Frankfurt at home.”
“What kind of story will unfold when the Wolves meet the Eagles? Let’s wait and see.”
“Excitingly, Huaguo’s young talent Li Luo will be starting in this Bundesliga match!”
The commentator’s tone brimmed with excitement.
Coach Zhang wore an expectant look, eager to see what kind of chemistry would develop between Wolfsburg’s distinct attacking players and Li Luo.
Being in the starting lineup also signaled that Li Luo was gradually integrating into the Bundesliga powerhouse.
“The cameras are now cutting to the players’ tunnel!”
...
Players’ tunnel.
Green light cast eerie shadows on every face.
Accompanied by wolf howls broadcast through the ceiling speakers—“Awoo~ Awoo~.”
It was like a scene from a horror film.
Wolves were the totem of the Wolfsburg club, their images everywhere inside the Volkswagen Arena.
But the next moment, a stirring entrance tune shifted the audience’s mood.
‘Ding ding~ ding! Ding ding~ ding!’
‘Dun dun~ dun! Dun dun~ dun!’
It stirred their blood with excitement.
...
The narrow tunnel bathed in green light was no longer a horror scene but a staircase leading to victory and glory.
Eintracht Frankfurt lineup.
Two young players quietly observed Li Luo, exchanging a few serious words.
Wolfsburg lineup.
Benaglio turned back and advised, “If you dribble and embarrass the opponent badly, watch out—they might ‘lumberjack’ you. You have to go down quickly and exaggerate your expressions... it’s a way to protect yourself. Don’t be afraid; we’ll back you up.”
The captain’s concern was unnecessary.
Li Luo nodded.
The tunnel gates slowly opened, and a roar of cheers like an avalanche swept over them.
...
The referees led both teams out of the tunnel.
A hot air balloon emblazoned with the Bundesliga’s iconic “flying kick” logo slowly ascended.
The stands’ atmosphere grew ever more thunderous.
Standing on the vast green pitch, Li Luo distinctly heard Bentner whispering nearby:
“Li, the German fans don’t know you yet. This isn’t Old Trafford; not many will treat you like a star or a moonlight.”
“That’s a good thing.”
If German fans were unfamiliar, it meant it would be easier to shock them.
The Volkswagen Arena could hold over thirty thousand spectators.
“What’s so good about that?”
Bentner surveyed the stands, straightened his nearly two-meter tall frame, and said proudly:
“Our experiences are similar. When I was eighteen, Arsenal loaned me to a Championship club whose coach was Bruce. Wenger thought he was great at developing big strikers, so… that season I scored eleven goals with seven assists.”
“Li, pass the ball to me. I’ll show you how easy it is to rack up assists.”
...
“Now, let’s introduce the starting lineups.”
“Wolfsburg will line up in a 4-5-1 formation!”
“Goalkeeper: Benaglio.”
“Defenders: Sebastian, Naldo, Knoche, Ricardo.”
“Midfielders: Vieirinha, Gustavo, Li Luo, Guilavogui, De Bruyne.”
“Forward: Bentner.”
“Heh heh heh, quite a few familiar faces.”
“Gustavo left a deep impression on fans during his Bayern Munich days.”
“Guilavogui, a defensive midfielder loaned from Atlético Madrid to Wolfsburg.”
“De Bruyne and Bentner need no further introduction...”
“But we’re most eager to see the performance of Huaguo’s young talent—Li Luo—tonight!”