Chapter 117: 6 Consecutive Victories At The Start! The First Match Of The Champions League Is Coming!

Early Friday morning, in the school cafeteria.

Not long after school started, Zhen Qian was still used to sleeping in during the holidays and found it hard to get up early. However, she had no choice; she was already in her second year of high school and had to face the suffocating pressure of schoolwork every day. Her hobbies were mostly neglected due to the intense study schedule.

The only thing that kept her going was her cousin's football career. Every time she saw her cousin win, she felt motivated to study harder.

That day, after waking up, she and her roommate went to the cafeteria. After breakfast, they were ready for morning reading. Thanks to Su Luo, the TVs in the school cafeteria were set to CCTV 5, allowing everyone to catch the latest news about him.

Sure enough, today's broadcast was about the Champions League draw ceremony from the previous night.

"Yesterday morning, at the Grimaldi Convention Center in Monaco, the UEFA Champions League draw for the 2015-2016 season took place. Messi beat Ronaldo and Suárez to win the best player award in the UEFA Champions League last season."

"As for the draw results, Real Madrid and PSG are in Group A, while Arsenal face Bayern Munich in Group F."

"Defending champions Barcelona will challenge Leverkusen and Roma in Group E."

"Manchester United, in Group B, will compete against Wolfsburg, PSV Eindhoven, and Spartak Moscow. Van Gaal's team is confident."

"The highlight of this Champions League group stage is the Group of Death in Group D!"

"Juventus, last season's runners-up, powerful Manchester City, Europa League champions Sevilla, and Bundesliga double champions Union Berlin!"

"These four teams dominate their respective leagues and will fiercely compete for two qualifying spots in the Champions League group stage."

"After the draw, Juventus quickly asserted their confidence in securing a qualifying spot."

"Coach Allegri said on social media that while the group stage may be challenging, Juventus will ultimately prevail."

"Allegri also praised Chinese player Su Luo, acknowledging his abilities."

Then the TV station played an interview with Allegri.

"Su Luo is one of the best rising stars in Europe in the past two years, but football is a team sport. One person's ability alone does not determine the outcome."

"Union Berlin is a young team with outstanding strength, but the Champions League is different from the Bundesliga. They may encounter some difficulties."

"Juventus has a long history and plenty of experience in the Champions League. I believe we will defeat all opponents, reach the final, and win the glory we deserve."

Allegri was still brooding over the Champions League final three months ago, where Messi's brilliance overshadowed his tactical prowess. As a master tactician, Allegri resented this and was determined to prove that football was the art of tactics. Even without big-name players, he believed in playing a perfect game.

In the cafeteria, some boys started discussing the Champions League draw news.

Originally, the boys at school talked about various topics, including politics, Curry's MVP in the NBA Finals, the rise of the small ball era in the NBA, the end of the Naruto manga, the formation of the Pirate Straw Hat Grand Fleet Alliance, and the anticipation for LDG and SKT's championship battle.

Since Su Luo won the double crown, everyone's football enthusiasm was rekindled. Football became a hot topic among the boys, and the number of people playing football increased.

Zhen Qian, who loved football, was pleased to see this change. However, she overheard a boy at the next table worrying about Su Luo.

"It's over, this is the group of death. Juventus and Manchester City won't be easy to beat."

"Yeah, Manchester City has been really strong this season."

"I think Bayern is strong, but how many goals did Su Luo score against them?"

"That was the Bundesliga. The Champions League is different."

"What's the difference? It's still football."

Several boys argued, unable to convince each other. Zhen Qian just wanted to laugh.

"Juventus and Manchester City? Su Luo isn't afraid of them!" she thought.

Not only were Chinese fans divided, but large-scale discussions began across Europe as soon as the draw results were announced.

Group A: Real Madrid and PSG were favorites to qualify.

Group B: Manchester United fans felt confident, believing they could at least qualify even if not topping the group.

Group C: Atletico Madrid and Benfica seemed likely to advance.

Group E: Barcelona was expected to thrive, while Roma and Leverkusen competed for second place.

Group F: Bayern and Arsenal were expected to qualify together.

Group G: Chelsea had a favorable draw and were expected to reach the top 16.

Group H: No giants, so it was anyone's game.

But all the controversy lay in Group D, the Group of Death.

Klinsmann said, "Anyone who underestimates Union Berlin will end up like Bayern Munich."

Chiellini stated, "Berlin is new to the Champions League and might struggle on multiple fronts. We expect to qualify alongside Manchester City."

Manchester City's Grealish and De Bruyne were also interviewed. Grealish said, "I'm happy to be back in Berlin. I hope the hardworking fans will welcome me."

De Bruyne said, "I just want to play a serious game with Su Luo. The result depends on our performance."

Sevilla's Unai Emery was frustrated. "Why is no one talking about us?"

Many fans commented on Emery's Twitter: "This is a Champions League discussion, not Europa League. Wait your turn!"

With two weeks until the Champions League group stage, all of Europe was excited. Berlin fans were eagerly counting down the days.

However, according to the schedule, Union Berlin's first game would be away in Spain against Sevilla. Manchester City and Juventus would face off first.

Before the European matches, Union Berlin still had three games: two Bundesliga matches and a first-round German Cup match against Victory Köln. This match, handled by the substitute and youth team lineup, didn't concern the coaching staff much.

The Bundesliga remained the team's main focus. They prepared seriously for the third round, challenging Cologne away.

The results of the two games had no suspense. In the first round of the DFB-Pokal, Union Berlin easily won 3-0 against Victory Köln.

Notably, Lisandro Martinez, a central defender standing 175 cm tall, started the game and performed excellently, even scoring a goal with a header. Due to his outstanding performance, coach Neuhaus considered bringing him to the first team. Though his height was a disadvantage, his defensive positioning and anticipation were exceptional, with a nearly perfect success rate in 1v1 defense.

In the league, Union Berlin's main lineup remains solid. The team defeated Cologne 3-0 in the away game. They also crushed Bayern 7-0 and Stuttgart 6-0, leaving Cologne in a state of panic.

Two seasons ago, these teams were neck and neck, competing for promotion seats in the Bundesliga. Now, seeing Union Berlin play like they did against Bayern felt surreal to Cologne fans. It was like seeing students with similar grades, where one gets into the Chinese Academy of Sciences while the other struggles in university. How did Union Berlin progress so rapidly?

In this game, Su Luo scored effortlessly, completed an assist, and orchestrated an offensive play. His league goals now total eight, and he leads the assist list with four assists.

"Could Su Luo be at the top of both lists this season?"

If he wins both the Golden Boot and the assist title, Su Luo will become the first player in Bundesliga history to top both lists, a unique honor for a Chinese player. This season, Su Luo is striving toward this goal. Coach Neuhaus has designed new offensive tactics tailored to Su Luo's strengths, maximizing his role. This multi-faceted approach is why Bayern is growing increasingly jealous—it's getting harder to deal with Su Luo.

After three rounds, the entire Bundesliga is grappling with the "Su Luo problem," a term coined by German Kicker magazine. Including their Super Bowl win, Union Berlin has secured six consecutive victories. In the fourth round of the Bundesliga, they will challenge last season's fifth-place team, Borussia Mönchengladbach, away.

Borussia, still bitter about losing their Champions League spot to Berlin, are eager for revenge. Their rapid rise also irks Borussia, making this away game the toughest of the new season.

"Oh!! Foul! Another foul!"

"It's only been 30 minutes in the first half, and Borussia has committed seven fouls! Five of them were against Su Luo!"

"Borussia even received a yellow card!"

The game was chaotic, with players constantly being knocked down. Su Luo was targeted every time he got the ball, except in the penalty area. The referee's leniency turned the match into something resembling a wrestling contest. This intensity made it tougher than playing against Bayern, who preferred not to engage physically with Union Berlin. Stuttgart underestimated their opponents, but Borussia came prepared and fought fiercely.

Union Berlin's offense struggled, and the first half ended in a 0-0 draw. Considering their upcoming away game against Sevilla in four days, Union Berlin rotated extensively. Key players like Maher Reiss, Sane, Forsberg, Kimmich, Keita, Rudiger, and Alex didn't start, leaving Su Luo without strong support. It was challenging for him to create opportunities alone.

Su Luo didn't waste time but waited for the right moment. Finally, in the 71st minute of the second half, he spotted a defensive gap in Borussia's formation. After holding steady for 70 minutes, Borussia launched an attack, but goalkeeper Fabianski made a crucial save.

Then it was Su Luo's time to shine.

"Su Luo, beautiful! Dribbling from the backfield, accelerating past two defenders instantly! Cycling! Changing direction! Passing another defender!"

"Borussia's central defenders are closing in!"

"Su Luo... Is he going for a lob?"

Commentator Duan Xuan was stunned as he watched the ball sail over the defense and into the net.

"Hahaha, what a goal! A world-class strike! Su Luo breaks the deadlock with a lob from 25 meters out!"

"Union Berlin takes the lead!"

"Su Luo's personal goal tally reaches nine!"

The score remained 1-0 until the end. With Su Luo's sole goal, Union Berlin triumphed over Borussia Mönchengladbach away.

Su Luo didn't have time to celebrate at the nightclubs in Borussia. The whole team rushed to the airport, ready to fly to Seville.

At the airport, Ning couldn't contain his excitement.

"Champions League! Here we come!"

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