Chapter 19: The Dazzling Leap to the Summit! (Combined Part)

"The match resumes from the center circle."

"Modeste kicks off, laying it off to Szalai."

"I hear there are rumors linking Modeste to a Chinese Super League club?"

"Yes, it's possible he might head to the CSL. He's 26, his skills as a center-forward are well-honed, and he’s formidable in one-on-one situations. If he joins the CSL, he definitely won't suffer from any culture shock."

"The market has already proven that foreign players in the CSL who don't rely on their teammates are more reliable."

"How my teammates play is none of my business; I solve the problems myself."

"But this is the Bundesliga, and Modeste has to rely on his teammates' coordination."

The individual ability of the Hoffenheim players is not weak. Even Rudy, the rugged German midfielder whom Li Luo has been suppressing, possesses a masterful long-passing ability. Firmino, of course, goes without saying—he is the core of Hoffenheim's attack.

In an instant, several blue-and-white figures infiltrated Wolfsburg's half. Firmino, in possession, dribbled past two defenders in the center before pushing forward; his teammates fanned out, stretching the Wolfsburg defensive line. In the night, the Rhein-Neckar-Arena looked like a spaceship that had landed in the fields, with the thunderous roar of the crowd echoing endlessly across the open ground.

...

In the livestream chat:
- [This guy Firmino is fierce! He’ll definitely head to a big club next season, right?]
- [He might join Liverpool, Atletico, Juventus, or Chelsea.]
- [At that level, Firmino won't have as many tactical resources at his disposal, but fortunately, he’s diligent, and he’s developed a 'shield-striker' attribute here at Hoffenheim.]
- [Exactly. Clubs of that caliber have much sharper finishers; the division of roles will be different.]

....

In the technical area, Hecking looks relaxed. Sitting back in a low defensive block after taking the lead is his specialty. The assistant coach, looking slightly anxious, says, "This isn't working, boss. Guilavogui isn't on the pitch, and Arnold is too young."

In short: Guilavogui, who started against Frankfurt last round but is on the bench today, has his advantages—he is much more solid in defensive organization. Arnold, the 19-year-old Wolfsburg youth product, is still growing; while energetic, he is easily lured out of position by Hoffenheim's attacking group.

"Don't panic. Li is dropping back while directing Bendtner to hold off Hoffenheim’s high press."

"Don't stop him. Let Li play however he wants!"

....

Actually, Li Luo didn't need to direct Bendtner. The Dane was already on the center circle line, "friendly" trading trash talk with the Hoffenheim high-press line, and no one could pull him away. His competitive attitude might be average, but he was certainly enthusiastic about arguing.

...

Wolfsburg's teammates are no slouches. Former Bayern man Luiz Gustavo accurately cut off the connection between Hoffenheim's wings and center, reclaiming possession.

"Heh, heh, heh. As expected of a defensive midfielder who came out of Bayern."

"Should say, you can't get into Bayern without some real talent."

"We can faintly hear the boos from the Hoffenheim fans; Gustavo made his name right here."

Li Luo had just dropped into the thirty-meter zone. He didn't immediately turn back. He noticed that Hoffenheim's front-line players weren't quickly falling back to defend, but instead, just like against Frankfurt in the last round, they immediately initiated a local counter-press after losing the ball.

*Why?* Why do teams that play aggressive attacking football press immediately? Why do teams that park the bus press immediately? There was no time to think about why. Li Luo accelerated his footwork and his thinking speed; the geometric models created by his spatial perception spun wildly.

...

Gustavo was experienced, but he found Hoffenheim's immediate counter-press a headache. Last round, Frankfurt's press was reckless, but this time, Hoffenheim’s was structured in a multi-player rectangular formation, cutting off the connection between Wolfsburg’s midfield and defense over a large area. Meanwhile, Hoffenheim's high defensive line was adjusting its depth tightly and slowly, preventing Wolfsburg from launching long balls directly over the top.

"Right. Slow the rhythm down. Don't let Wolfsburg play their quick counter-attacks. If Wolfsburg had a top-tier ball-playing center-back or goalkeeper... hmm? It’s an option from Li Luo!"

....

Wolfsburg's backline teammates were overjoyed to see the Chinese teenager's figure. Li Luo stepped right into the center of Hoffenheim’s rectangular pressing net without a shred of hesitation. The Hoffenheim players were stunned, but the Wolfsburg players were not fools.

"Wolfsburg center-back Knoche is smart; he passes the ball over, right to Li Luo’s preferred foot."

"Hoffenheim’s rectangular pressing net collapses toward Li Luo in the center. The surrounding areas have opened up."

Li Luo was a little nervous. Occupying space and breaking the pressing net is work for the brain. The challenge is how to release the ball at the highest speed while being surrounded by four players, all while adjusting his body orientation in advance.

*Hakan Calhanoglu tells you: How an excellent midfield maestro completes an escape when facing high-intensity pressure.*

A flash of inspiration. Before receiving the ball, Li Luo opened his stance, adjusting his body orientation while twisting his hips.

"Wow!"

"A half-turn to receive, a follow-up step... the essence of simplicity."

"No, there was no extra step. A one-touch pass. Another step to move diagonally, neutralizing the other Hoffenheim pressing matrix!"

Everything happened so fast. The spectators in the stands watched as Li Luo played a one-touch pass, accelerated, played another one-touch pass, and accelerated again, leaving Hoffenheim's formation in tatters.

...

In the livestream chat, the comments flew by:
- [Not bad, not bad. I play for my school team, and I break the opponent's press just like Li Luo, providing the safest outlet for my teammates in the back.]
- [So cool.]
- [The speed of his short-range passing and movement... he's so fast.]
- [Li Luo is a constructive midfielder and a destructive one; he destroyed Hoffenheim's off-the-ball system.]
- [The essence of simplicity. Li Luo has saved himself years of taking the long way around, unlike Juventus's Pogba, who loves to show off.]

....

Firmino was a bit bewildered: Is this guy Li Luo just a 'brain-upgraded version' of Leverkusen’s midfield maestro Calhanoglu?

Hoffenheim's players weren't idiots. The moment the rectangular pressing system was shattered, everyone began sprinting back to recover their defensive positions. Unfortunately, Wolfsburg's players were no fools either. No matter how fast Hoffenheim ran, they weren't as fast as Wolfsburg's ball circulation.

"Here it comes!"

"Three touches from Li Luo. Connecting the midfield and the backline. He’s changed the tempo for Wolfsburg, launching a counter-attack!"

"Beautiful! He passes to De Bruyne."

"Li Luo is so good at threading the needle! No offside!"

Li Luo slipped past the big, burly Hoffenheim defensive line. The moment he broke through, De Bruyne painted a rainbow over the Rhein-Neckar-Arena! The ball lifted off the ground, spinning violently, soaring past the center circle and sketching a magnificent trajectory in mid-air. The camera followed the arc.

...

At the landing spot, the Chinese teenager sprinted across the empty green pitch. The adrenaline of countless spectators soared.

"One-on-one!"

A heart-pounding moment. Hecking stood hunched over, gripping his fists tightly. The assistant coaches couldn't help but squat on the turf, watching intently. Marcus shouted wildly.

...

Li Luo didn't look up. His spatial perception perfectly controlled the ball's path and landing spot. Watching the Hoffenheim goalkeeper rushing out, his first thought wasn't to take a touch and round the keeper for an easy finish. Instead, he relied on his 98-rated heading attribute!

He took a step and leaped. Opened his arms. Dove forward. The ball dropped. A header!

The stadium was stunned. The commentator was dumbfounded. All the fiery gazes became vacant, shocked beyond measure.

....

*Thwack!*

The ball transformed into a cannonball, carrying the force of wind and thunder. It whistled and spun, unstoppable, smashing toward the Hoffenheim goal! Goalkeeper Baumann, his face flushed with anxiety, pushed off the ground with all his might, his pink gloves... touching nothing.

He turned his head. The ball was already tangled in the back of the net.

0:2!!!

The entire stadium erupted. The applause poured down like a torrential rain. Li Luo fell onto the turf, touching his own forehead...

[Shock Value +1!]
[Shock Value +1!]
[Shock Value +1!]
[...]

The numbers were changing rapidly—an unprecedented rate of growth! Wolfsburg teammates rushed over one after another. Unable to contain themselves, they piled up in a high human pyramid in Hoffenheim’s half!

"Fantastic, Li! Your header..."

"I’ve seen Bierhoff’s headers, and tonight I witnessed Li’s headed curved cannon."

"What are you talking about? Li’s heading is his biggest weakness."

"Hey, hey, hey, who the hell is pushing me?"

The 6-2 disaster from their last encounter was a humiliation for Wolfsburg. Tonight, Li Luo washed away that shame.

...

"Beautiful!"

"Unbelievable!"

"A stunning headed cannon."

"A diving header."

"A brilliant gem!"

"The talent... it’s simply overflowing!"

"Li Luo with the header, De Bruyne with the assist."

"A brace! The Chinese teenager Li Luo has scored a brace in the Bundesliga."

"He has helped Wolfsburg extend their lead."

"As a Chinese, I am proud of him."

The commentator was incoherent. Instructor Zhang chuckled beside him.

...

In the livestream chat, the big screen replayed the goal from every angle in slow motion.
- [0-2? So the 6-2 I bet on is half-right.]
- [Holy crap, was that Bierhoff or Van Persie possessing him?]
- [Since when did Li Luo have such a header?]
- [What? When did Li Luo practice heading?]
- [So cool, this is... a piece of art!]
- [So cool.]
- [A world-class masterpiece!]
- [It’s a pity the opponent is Hoffenheim; if he did this against Real Madrid or Barcelona, it would shock the whole world.]
- [Hubby!]
- [A Chinese player scoring a goal like this in one of the top five leagues... how can you not be excited?]

...

In the technical area, Hecking looked dazed. The assistant coaches were still squatting on the ground.

"You guys..."

"Why didn't you tell me... that Li’s heading was also so fierce?"

"Well, boss, Li’s heading was his biggest weakness. That’s what Manchester United’s report said."

On the other side, Marcus was in a mess, frantically pulling at his hair. Why? Why did the Hoffenheim coaching staff miss so much information about Li Luo? Weren't they told the kid was the Chinese Xavi, the Chinese Iniesta, the Chinese Pirlo, the Chinese Fabregas?

...

In the VIP box, the Volkswagen executives were uncontrollably excited.

"So satisfying."

"Watching Li play is simply an enjoyment!"

"The young ladies of the Porsche and Piëch families aren't worthy of Li!"

"By the time the family wealth is diluted to their generation, it won't be worth a fart compared to Li’s commercial value."

"Li will become a superstar; he doesn't need to care about a partner's family background."

"The 'Sun' says Li prefers Eastern girls. Usually, the 'Sun' is quite authoritative on these matters."

...

Cheshire. In the night, Hale Village was shrouded in thin mist.

*Pfft!* Ferguson, watching the replay of Li Luo's header on the TV screen... sprayed out the water he was drinking halfway through.

"Hecking..."

"This guy Hecking..."

Jack quickly chimed in, using a tone of reproach: "This guy Hecking is simply..."

Ferguson wiped his mouth with a napkin and sighed: "He is simply a genius manager! He gave Li the greatest freedom! Letting the seed of genius soak in the sunlight of freedom and grow strong and free."

"I am already incredibly looking forward to Li's return."

"Quick! Switch back to the Manchester United broadcast... what? Manchester United is losing again?"

...

Rhein-Neckar-Arena. The revelry slowly subsided. De Bruyne is a genius midfielder who loves to think. He carefully reviewed the match process, trying to find ways to further extend the lead. As he thought, his brows tightened! He looked at Li Luo with sincere respect:

'Setting aside this headed finish.'

'Li is too selfless. He diligently organizes and links the play, patiently combing through the midfield. Even after breaking down the defense with successive one-touch passes, he always leaves the opportunity for the final killer pass to me!'

'Except for the lob that tore apart Frankfurt’s high press last round.'

'In other attacking phases, he always leaves the assist opportunities to me...'

'He clearly saw the gaps in the defense too. No, it’s not just selflessness, it’s team spirit. He lets me be responsible for the final pass... and there’s a deeper meaning: variation.'

The match was about to restart. Li Luo and his teammates jogged back to their own half. He suddenly felt the Belgian’s strange gaze: "What’s wrong?"

De Bruyne rubbed a blade of grass, avoiding his eyes: "Nothing."

Li Luo thought casually: *My 50-rated passing attribute—if I send through-balls into the bus in positional play, I’ll be countered by Hoffenheim in minutes... luckily, this guy De Bruyne has such a high level of passing.*

....

Time passed slowly. Every pass of the ball tugged at the hearts of the fans on-site. Firmino entered a rampage mode. In adversity, he thought of his impoverished childhood, his bullied youth academy days, and the malnutrition he was diagnosed with when he first joined Hoffenheim.

The village, the bonds, the partners...

Time was running out for Hoffenheim. He couldn't give up! Firmino, in his 9.5 shield-striker form, decided to engage in a final spatial game with Li Luo!

The next moment, the Brazilian genius felt the fire in his body disappear, and he watched blankly as Li Luo left the pitch...

"Dead ball!"

"The match has reached the 74th minute."

"The fourth official raised the LED substitution board."

"Hecking made his final substitution."

"Taking off Li Luo."

"Wolfsburg is about to enter a multi-front campaign. In a few days, they will head to England to challenge their Europa League rival, Everton."

...

Applause thundered. Many Hoffenheim fans also offered applause to the Chinese teenager. Li Luo walked off the pitch.

[Shock Value gained: 168,456]

He had gained 150,000 shock value tonight! Hecking gave the Chinese teenager a fierce hug and explained: "The schedule is very tight. We have a huge advantage, and the Hoffenheim players' actions are getting rougher. I’m afraid you’ll get hurt, and we still need to seriously prepare for a stronger opponent, Everton."

Li Luo nodded earnestly: "Everyone has worked hard."

The assistant coaches quickly handed over dry towels and drinking water, calling for the team doctor to come over and check his body.

....

In the end, the referee blew the final whistle.

Hoffenheim 1:3 Wolfsburg.

The Chinese teenager Li Luo, with a brace, shocked the Bundesliga.