Chapter 22: Setting Sail! Goodison Park

The group stage of the European competition is about to begin. Most Chinese fans have not focused their attention on the star-studded UEFA Champions League, which is packed with giants. Instead, the focus of discussion has gathered on the first European match of the young Chinese prodigy, Li Luo: Everton vs. Wolfsburg.

Major media outlets have been keen to catch the scent, launching extensive previews:
"Wolfsburg challenges Everton away; Li Luo welcomes his European debut."
"Everton vs. Wolfsburg: Ratings expected to significantly outperform many Champions League group stage matches."
"English and German powerhouses face off at Goodison Park. Martinez is deep in strategy with a strong squad; Hecking, unfamiliar with the treacherous terrain of Merseyside, may struggle to leave unscathed."
"The Sun: Li Luo may have a secret meeting with an oriental girl after the match."
"Chinese youngster Li Luo debuts in European competition, sending Europa League interest soaring."

Comment counts, likes, and shares are skyrocketing.
-"Is there a problem? Wolfsburg should be able to beat Everton, right?"
-"Hard to say. Everton finished fifth in the Premier League last season and are currently fully healthy; it is very likely they will secure a big win at home."
-"The odds keep shifting. Everton's odds are getting lower and lower. Is it the bookies baiting us, or have many brothers placed heavy bets on Wolfsburg?"
-"Bet on the opposite then!"
-"This match will likely be tough. The news is right; Everton is strong and playing at home. What if the Wolfsburg players suffer from acclimatization and get diarrhea?"
-"Everton, the boss monster in the hills near the starter village."
-"Boss monsters in games drop good loot; what can Everton give Li Luo in reality? Haha."
-"Winning or losing doesn't matter. We haven't seen a Chinese player in European competition for many years. Li Luo is the pride of Chinese fans."
....

Braunschweig Airport.
A crowd of Wolfsburg fans gathered outside the police cordon. They sang the club anthem to cheer for the team's departure. The momentum was immense. The players were filled with mixed emotions, hoping even more fervently to return with the fruits of victory.
Bendtner said with disdain, "When I was at Arsenal, when did I ever fear a team like Everton? We thrashed them 6-1 a few years ago! Even though I didn't score or assist in that match."
Captain Benaglio said in a serious tone, "The times are different now. Everton has been very strong these past two seasons; we cannot afford to be careless."
....

On the plane.
Li Luo held a tablet, carefully watching recordings of Everton's recent matches. "The tactics change for every single game."
Gustavo leaned in to take a look and said, "This is the correct path for a mid-tier Premier League team looking to climb higher."
The former Bayern man didn't indulge in empty motivational speeches. "Many positions in mid-tier teams have obvious strengths and weaknesses. The head coach must refer to the characteristics of each opponent and make proactive adjustments."

"Martinez is a very talented coach; he led Everton to fifth place in the Premier League last season."
Arnold, sitting nearby, couldn't help but ask curiously, "Why doesn't our head coach deploy such frequent tactical adjustments?"
Gustavo's tone was matter-of-fact: "A giant peak on the coast, no matter how the waves crash against it, will not change."
Hecking, sitting in front, couldn't help but blush. It wasn't that he didn't want to change. Who doesn't want to keep up with the times? When he took over Wolfsburg in a crisis years ago, he could implement sweeping reforms. Now that the tactical framework is stable, wanting to continue reforming... is difficult, and the club's top management would deem it unnecessary. Many coaches in the top five leagues have reformed themselves right out of a job.
.....

The plane landed at John Lennon Airport. The airport was named to commemorate the famous British Beatle, John Lennon. It was also the first airport in England to be named after a celebrity.
In September, Merseyside still held the final warmth of summer in the breeze, though the clouds already revealed the desolation of autumn.
"I want to see the river cruise on the Mersey."
"Or go to the Maritime Museum to learn about Liverpool's navigation history and global trade influence as a port city."
"Nonsense, Bendtner, you kid just wants to go to nightclubs and casinos; don't think we don't know."
"Returning to Little Britain, I'm actually a bit nervous."
The two former Premier League players had complex feelings.

Li Luo followed the team out of the arrival gate and discovered that quite a few Manchester United fans were greeting him.
"Li!"
"Go for it!"
"Don't get injured!"
Fans' expectations for young players are not just about performance, but also about staying injury-free. Without much delay, Li Luo interacted briefly with the fans before boarding the bus to the hotel.
....

One day before match day.
Wolfsburg had to conduct their training session on the pitch.
At the Everton training base, the players listened intently to the coaching staff's deployment:
"Bendtner's preferred foot is his right, and his heading is quite good, but his threat to our defensive line is not high. This center-forward's ability, as shown at Wolfsburg, is not comprehensive. I believe he mostly functions as a pivot."
"Gustavo: his one-on-one defensive ability is strong, but his desire to push forward and initiate attacks is very low, and he is prone to fouls. Once this guy gets a yellow card, he will become one of our breakthrough points."
"De Bruyne: use physicality and confrontation to limit him; this kid is a big trouble."
"Li... the data sample is too small; we find it difficult to judge his preferred foot. We don't need to worry too much about his heading in positional play."
"You know, in football history, Maradona and Cruyff were also good at heading, but their success rate in aerial duels against tall defenders was not high."

Lukaku looked earnest.
The Everton assistant coach patted him on the shoulder: "Don't drift to the wings casually in tomorrow's match. You must shoulder the responsibilities of a center-forward just like Bendtner."
He then said to several other players: "When Li moves in midfield, he relies too much on one-touch passes to mask his ability to handle the ball under pressure. We must hit him with high intensity."
.....

The next day.
Goodison Park Stadium. The place was deafening, the stands looking like a churning blue ocean.
"Zhuangdian Tai! Zhuangdian Tai! Good evening, viewers!"
"What we are broadcasting for you now is the first round of the 2014/15 Europa League group stage."
"Everton hosts Wolfsburg."
"The English Toffees meet the German Wolf Pack; what kind of sparks will fly?"
"Director Zhang, what is your take?"
"Hehehe."
The commentator continued to enlighten the audience on the origin of Everton's nickname, "The Toffees." Director Zhang, meanwhile, reminisced about European matches from many years ago: back then, football tactics had certain limitations of the era, but because the two teams in European competition came from different leagues and had distinct tactical styles, the matches were very interesting.
....

In the player tunnel.
Lukaku high-fived his Belgian national teammate, De Bruyne; judging by their expressions, they weren't exactly close.
He then looked at Li Luo. His eyes were clear:
"Li, we meet again. You will be contained by us tonight."
The Everton ranks: "..."
They wished they could plug the little black egg's mouth to prevent him from exposing their pre-match tactical deployment.
Li Luo was just about to respond.
Suddenly.
A mechanical, cold, synthesized electronic sound rang quietly in his mind.
[Detection: You are about to compete in the Europa League.]
[Opening the redemption access for the "Europa League Stars Blind Box".]
[After each Europa League match, you can redeem "Europa League Stars Blind Boxes" using Shock Value.]
The Europa League blind box—is the card pool larger?
Not limited to Bundesliga stars!
Who could I pull after the match?