Chapter 41 What Is It Like To Compete With Messi And Ronaldo On The Same Stage?

The draw for the DFB-Pokal took place just one day after the game against Kaiserslautern.

That night, Su Luo didn't go to the nightclub as he usually would. Instead, he joined coach Neuhaus, Hofstadter, and many teammates at the club to watch the live broadcast of the draw. Half of Berlin's fans stayed home to follow the match of Union Berlin, the only second division team in the top 8!

Even fans of other Bundesliga teams were curious. A second division team had made it this far! Among the most vocal were the fans of Hertha Berlin. As the only Bundesliga team in the capital, Hertha had been eliminated in the second round. Their sworn enemy, Union Berlin, representing the working class, had become Berlin's representative.

Ironically, the team that eliminated Hertha Berlin was Kaiserslautern, the team Union Berlin had just defeated. Now, Hertha fans had to endure the embarrassment of being weaker than Union Berlin. The derby rivalry's stakes would increase if Union Berlin were promoted to the Bundesliga.

For now, everyone was focused on the draw. The top 8 teams were familiar names to Chinese fans:Frankfurt vs DortmundHoffenheim vs WolfsburgHamburg vs Bayern Munich

When these draws were announced, Su Luo sensed his teammates' relief. The two strongest Bundesliga teams, Bayern and Dortmund, were set to face each other. But the relief was short-lived. The final opponent for Union Berlin was as formidable as any top-tier team.

"Finally, let's see the last matchup. I believe everyone is eager to know," the host, Klinsmann, the "Golden Bomber" and coach of the German team in the 2006 World Cup, said with a smile. He drew one of the small balls and unfolded the team name inside.

"Union Berlin! The dark horse of this cup!" he announced.

"Now, let's see their opponent!"

Klinsmann opened the last small ball. "Bayer Leverkusen!"

"It looks like this dark horse has encountered a strong enemy! Let's look forward to the quarter-finals in February next year!"

Though the German Cup might not hold as much prestige as the FA Cup, it remained a significant event in German football. Just as Barcelona and Real Madrid fiercely compete for the Copa del Rey in La Liga, German teams give their all for the cup each year. Leverkusen, currently 4th in the Bundesliga, had a strong chance of Champions League qualification but little hope of winning the Bundesliga. Their best shot at a trophy was the German Cup, so Union Berlin would face their full-strength squad.

"They'll likely deploy their full lineup, so we need to be prepared," coach Neuhaus warned after the draw before dismissing the team.

The players exchanged worried looks.

"Leverkusen... Can we really do it?" someone murmured.

Su Luo, always free-spirited, shrugged. "We'll worry about it next year. Let's play our best, no regrets."

Captain Matushka laughed. "You youngsters should learn from Su. No matter who comes, we face them head-on."

"Yeah! Screw Leverkusen!" another teammate shouted.

"Damn Bayer!" others chimed in.

Su Luo couldn't help but smile at his fired-up teammates. They were already getting into the right mindset.

...

Halfway through the season, Union Berlin had shocked the entire German football world. They swept 21 points in 7 rounds, rising from 14th near the relegation zone to 4th place! They even had a chance at the championship!

Su Luo also topped the scorer's list in just 3 games, scoring 17 goals in less than half the season. The second-highest scorer, Cologne's Patrick Helmes, had only 11 goals despite playing 10 more games than Su Luo. With an average of nearly 2.5 goals per game, Su Luo's performance was incredible.

Everyone had initially thought Su Luo's success was just a good run of form. Now, Bundesliga teams fully realized the threat he posed. With the winter break approaching, some hoped it would cool down his fiery form. If he continued playing like this, he might turn the entire Bundesliga upside down, like the Monkey King wreaking havoc in the Heavenly Palace.

Coach Neuhaus was also worried. If Su Luo indulged himself during the break and his form declined, it would impact their results in the second half. Before disbanding for the break, Neuhaus had a sincere talk with Su Luo.

"Su, you're now the core of our team's offense," Neuhaus began. "If your form declines, our results will suffer. So, promise me you'll go to the disco less during the break."

Su Luo felt a bit uncomfortable seeing his usually stern coach plead with him. "Coach, I really don't like disco."

Neuhaus' face twitched as he held back his frustration. "Okay... Just try to go less often and stay in good shape. In the second half, we'll push for Bundesliga promotion!"

"I understand, coach. The second division isn't challenging enough anymore. I want to face Bundesliga teams!" Su Luo replied.

He still had one more dream he didn't share. He wanted to play in the Champions League, to face Real Madrid and Barcelona. Competing with Ronaldo and Messi—what an experience that would be!

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