Chapter 12: Wow, What a Stunning Kick!
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Frankfurt lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with two Japanese players starting: Takashi Inui and Makoto Hasebe.
"Hopefully, many Chinese players will also make their way to the top five leagues, establish themselves, and earn starting positions."
Beep!
With the referee’s whistle, the match officially began.
Wolfsburg had possession.
Bendtner kicked off and passed back to the defense.
Frankfurt’s forwards eagerly surged past the center circle, launching an aggressive high press.
The ball rolled swiftly across the turf.
Wolfsburg’s backline passed steadily, showing no mistakes despite the intense front pressing.
...
On the sidelines,
Heijin wore a calm, indifferent expression, arms crossed.
Last night, he watched a domestic animated film with his son called "East German Youth Breaks into the Bundesliga." The animation claimed Wolfsburg played like a fierce wolf pack, aggressively attacking and fearlessly challenging their enemies.
False.
Deceptive.
In reality, the many attacks by Wolfsburg shown in highlight reels were due to De Bruyne and his teammates ensuring quality in transition.
For example, Wolfsburg’s tactical setup during this era focused all their attribute points on defense—not as ferocious, razor-toothed wolves, but rather as well-fed, clear-eyed fat wolves.
Since last season, after Tuchel broke their previously flexible 'fear the strong, bully the weak' system, Heijin resolved to continuously optimize their tactics, making Wolfsburg more cautious and stable.
The chubby wolf donned a metal armor, armed to the teeth.
“Starting with maxed defense, Bayern could only beat me by one goal in the Bundesliga opener.”
Elsewhere,
Frankfurt’s head coach, Thomas Schaaf, remained composed.
He was no unknown figure.
In 2004, while managing Werder Bremen, he achieved the double of Bundesliga and German Cup victories.
A disciple of Reinhard Hagel.
Hagel’s story was more thrilling than any movie.
As Hagel’s third apprentice, Thomas Schaaf absorbed the football philosophy of the 1980s: exert relentless pressure on opponents, and upon regaining possession, launch reckless, all-out attacks at any cost.
...
In the CTV5 broadcast booth,
The commentators and Coach Zhang were puzzled: Why did Wolfsburg operate more smoothly under high pressing than Van Gaal’s Manchester United?
Even comparing the opponents’ strength, Frankfurt was crazier than Swansea.
“No, look,”
“Wolfsburg’s resistance to pressure is strong, but their build-up play from the back is too one-dimensional.”
“I see now. Frankfurt’s coach is clever; their front pressing is very targeted, mainly focusing on Grillitsch.”
“Grillitsch’s failure at Atletico wasn’t due to physical or technical flaws; it was his conservative mindset. He always preferred the safest passing options—constantly backpassing to the center backs, making the team’s transition attack predictable.”
“Backpassing to the center backs isn’t wrong, but now the opponents have figured it out; they need to change their approach.”
...
Comments flood in:
- “What nonsense are they talking about?”
- “Old Schaaf, Frankfurt’s coach, is Hagel’s third apprentice? No wonder he’s so brilliant, chipping away at the fat wolf’s armor.”
- “It’s all about Grillitsch. Whenever he has the ball, even a fool knows he’ll pass back to Knoche or Naldo... letting the two Wolfsburg center backs launch long balls.”
- “Old Schaaf’s goal isn’t to break the defense directly but to exploit weaknesses in Wolfsburg’s build-up phase, and when he finds one, he strikes hard. For example, forcing the fat wolf to retreat home with only a narrow path left, then ambushing it there.”
- “What to do?”
- “Try your luck and see if Wolfsburg’s players can rise to the occasion.”
...
On the pitch,
Wolfsburg’s backline build-up was once again intercepted by Frankfurt. Gustavo, experienced and steady, regained possession.
The camera occasionally focused on the center line.
Frankfurt pressed high.
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Bendtner and Li Luo operated actively in the spaces along the flanks.
Frankfurt’s midfielder Makoto Hasebe stuck to Li Luo like chewing gum, slowly muttering trash talk.
Li Luo didn’t understand but, seeing Hasebe’s serious expression, guessed it was some passionate manga-style dramatic speech.
His spatial awareness module in the brain worked furiously.
‘Everything is under control?’
...
At the 12th minute,
Wolfsburg’s backline finally delivered a brilliant long pass.
“The trend of the times—having a ball-playing center back solves many problems.”
“The camera followed the ball’s trajectory.”
“Haha, nearly two-meter-tall Bendtner’s physical advantage is obvious; he wins the aerial duel and heads it on!”
Smack.
The ball descended, striking the Wolfsburg striker’s head, deflecting backward.
Li Luo’s figure moved perfectly into the landing spot.
Frankfurt’s defense was shocked: This kid’s vision and anticipation were incredible! His touch and acceleration timing were perfect, easily shaking off Hasebe!
On the sidelines, Frankfurt’s coach Old Schaaf showed a calm expression: This boy’s mind is faster than everyone else’s; good thing we prepared for this before the match.
...
Frankfurt’s center back Zambrano reacted quickly.
He lunged aggressively forward.
He aimed to prevent Li Luo, who was side-on to receive the ball, from continuing his breakthrough.
Unexpectedly!
Tap!
Li Luo’s instep barely grazed the ball.
The two barely touched and separated.
Like a dragonfly skimming water.
The ball flew toward the weakened right side of Frankfurt’s defense.
Zambrano’s eyes went blank.
Heijin’s jaw dropped in surprise.
Old Schaaf looked stunned.
“What?”
“A one-touch pass!!”
“The gazelle leaps with its antlers!!”
“Wow! So stylish!!!”
“Look at his body posture and motion at the moment of kicking—too cool!”
“The whole world expected him to control, dribble, and break through Frankfurt’s defense.”
“But instead...”
“Vision! Li Luo’s one-touch pass precisely exploited the weakest flank of Frankfurt’s defense.”
“The perfect fusion of spatial awareness and one-touch passing caught the opponent off guard.”
“World-class above the neck!”
“The prodigious Chinese youth’s talent and genius are about to overflow!”
...
The close-up camera followed the ball’s path.
De Bruyne appeared.
He ran, struggling to contain his astonishment:
‘So advanced.’
‘Li, under pressure in the Bundesliga, managed a one-touch pass that precisely pierced the opponent’s weak side.’
‘No, wait.’
‘The force and trajectory of the pass are off... the timing was too generous, Li...’
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‘I understand now, Li did it deliberately!’
‘He expected Frankfurt’s defense to anticipate this route, so he deliberately varied the pass’s stability! His pass accounted for the defender’s turning speed and recovery pace...’
‘A master!’
...
Amidst the cheers at the Volkswagen Arena,
De Bruyne struggled to stop the drifting ball on the flank.
Then advanced forward.
Raised his arm and struck.
Smack.
The ball traced a rainbow-like arc in midair.
It fell sharply at the top edge of Frankfurt’s penalty area.
Wolfsburg’s frontline pressed hard.
Nearly two-meter-tall Bendtner forcefully shoved aside Frankfurt’s center back.
He struck the ball mid-air.
Bang!
The ball floated toward the stands.
Thunderous applause erupted throughout the stadium, tens of thousands of eyes focused on the Chinese youth.
The LED screen replayed the attack.
Li Luo adjusted his steps, shook off Hasebe, accurately judged the landing spot and the defender’s tendencies, and with a single pass, tore apart Frankfurt’s defensive line.
The Volkswagen Arena erupted again with screams and cheers.
[Shock meter +1]
[Shock meter +1]
[Shock meter +1]
[...]
...
Bendtner gave a thumbs up to De Bruyne.
De Bruyne returned the gesture to Li Luo.
Li Luo applauded his teammates.
The spatial awareness module had already processed all the opponent’s dynamic information.
The constructed model was very simple.
Li Luo still didn’t understand many strategic issues but felt like he was playing a boss fight in a game, learning the mechanics.
‘When teammates in the middle and back hold the ball, the opponent always disrupts our build-up play. If we solve this problem, this game should be simple, right?’
...
In the VIP box,
Volkswagen Group and Wolfsburg executives wore happy, excited expressions:
“This stylish style of play.”
“This rapid combination and midfield command that slices through defenses.”
“Coupled with that face.”
“And the Chinese identity.”
“The most perfect loan deal in Bundesliga history! The commercial value Li brings us...”
...
In the CTV5 broadcast booth,
Comments flooded in:
- “So cool.”
- “Li Luo is amazing.”
- “One-touch passing, simply stunning.”
- “I always thought Li Luo was the type to spin, dribble, and break through continuously, then use a surgical pass to split defenses, but I didn’t expect his mind to be so sharp too!”
- “Wolfsburg’s current problems are still severe. Heijin can’t match Old Schaaf. Old Schaaf is the direct disciple of Reinhard Hagel and has made targeted arrangements... Even if Wolfsburg knows the situation, breaking through mid-game will be tough.”
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