Chapter 133 The Champions League Top 8 Agreement! Shut Up Your Enemies With Goals!

The "FIFA virus" is a nightmare for club coaching staff. Even teams with deep benches struggle to cope with it. After international match days, many teams see their performance fluctuate, and injuries are a constant threat.

Before the city derby against Hertha Berlin, head coach Neuhaus received bad news: Sane was injured. In the 10th round of Group D of the European preliminaries, Germany had beaten Georgia 2:1. The defending champions secured their spot for the 2016 European Cup at the last minute. It should have been an easy win against a low-level team like Georgia, but the match was surprisingly tough. Germany played on both wings but lacked a stable scoring point, making it hard to maintain pressure on the Georgian goal. None of the forwards—Gomez, Podolski, or Kiessling—could save the team's faltering offense.

After the game, German media lamented that Loew needed an all-round striker like Su Luo, and fans sorely missed Klose, who had retired from the national team. The reigning World Cup champions needing a 37-year-old veteran to save them was indeed embarrassing.

More importantly, in this crucial battle for European Cup qualification, Sane suddenly fell to the ground in the 58th minute without any physical contact and was injured. After a preliminary examination, the team doctor revealed that Sane's condition was severe. Back in Berlin, Sane was diagnosed with a torn muscle fiber in his left thigh and was expected to be out for at least four months. He would miss the next league matches, the Champions League group stage, and the knockout rounds of the Champions League. If Union Berlin qualified, Sane would likely miss the Champions League entirely, despite leaving Schalke 04 specifically to play in it.

Before the derby against Hertha Berlin, Su Luo and his teammates visited Sane in the hospital. Entering the ward, Su Luo thought Sane was asleep, but he was just staring at the ceiling.

"Su, you're here," Sane said, his eyes regaining some brightness but quickly dimming again.

When Sane first joined the team, he was very withdrawn. However, since that night at the nightclub, he had become more sociable with his teammates. Though still reserved, he would now join them for outings, like going to discos.

Many teammates were concerned about Sane's injury. Forsberg, Ake, Kimmich, and Rudiger all visited him.

"Why do you look so down? Feeling impotent?" Su Luo joked, using a term that meant 'helpless' but also implied something more.

Sane, regaining some energy, laughed and replied, "Get lost! Is that how you treat the wounded?"

Kimmich chimed in, "Su is right. You did look pretty lifeless."

"Go away, you hurtful people!" Sane retorted with a smile.

After some playful banter, Sane seemed more energetic. They chatted about recent gossip, but didn't stay too long to let Sane rest.

"We'll head out now. Tomorrow, we'll play Berlin away, and I'll give you a good show," Su Luo said.

"Wait, can I ask you all a favor?" Sane asked suddenly.

"What's up?" Su Luo was curious.

"Can you make it to the top 8 of the Champions League? Give me a chance to play," Sane requested.

Kimmich, Rudiger, and others exchanged glances. Top 8? Sane had big dreams. With upcoming matches against Juventus and Manchester City, it seemed unlikely. If they drew Real Madrid or Barcelona in the top 16, their chances would diminish further. The team aimed to qualify from the group of death, but the top 8 seemed far-fetched.

Surprisingly, Su Luo agreed. "Sure, recover well. We'll be waiting for you in the top 8."

"Thank you, thank you," Sane said gratefully.

After leaving the ward, Forsberg frowned and asked, "Su, do we really have a shot at the top 8? Another injury would make it tough."

Su Luo patted Forsberg on the shoulder. "What if my goal is to win the Champions League?"

His teammates were stunned. Champions League champion? Su Luo must be joking.

"As professional players, we must have that mindset. Last season, who believed we could win the double crown?" Su Luo said as he walked towards his Aston Martin Vulcan, leaving his teammates in awe.

"Champions League champion," they murmured.

"When the captain says it, it feels real," someone said.

"Indeed. If we don't fight hard, who knows what we can achieve?"

Bundesliga Round 9: Berlin Olympiastadion

Hertha Berlin vs. Union Berlin—City derby!

Hertha Berlin, in their blue and white striped jerseys, represented the bourgeoisie, while the red Union Berlin embodied the people. This match held significant meaning beyond the Bundesliga standings.

Last season, Hertha Berlin narrowly avoided relegation, finishing 15th. In the first leg against Union Berlin, they won 1-0, with Su Luo absent. In the second leg, Su Luo played and led Union Berlin to a 5-0 victory, seeking complete revenge. The defeat led to the dismissal of Hertha Berlin's former coach, Jos Luhukay, who became another victim of the "coach killer" Su Luo.

In the new season, Hertha Berlin recruited star players, and Palkó Dárdai took over as the coach, hoping for a better outcome this time.

After Dardai took office, he truly brought a new atmosphere to Hertha Berlin. They started the new season fairly well, with 4 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses in 8 rounds, temporarily ranking fifth in the Bundesliga. They were 7 points behind the second-placed Union Berlin and only one point away from fourth-placed Leverkusen.

In the pre-match interview, Dardai seemed confident. "In the new season, we will work hard to stabilize our top 4 position and strive to qualify for the Champions League. Our rivals in the same city are unfortunately missing a key player, and their team isn't in good shape. This is our chance to grab points! In our home stadium, we will avenge last season! The sky in Berlin is blue!"

Dardai believed that without Sane, Union Berlin's threat from the left would be greatly reduced. Other players would likely be affected by the FIFA virus, causing their form to decline. Hertha Berlin, well-prepared and with a mentality of revenge, was confident of defeating their city rivals at home.

The head coach's confidence was shared by Hertha Berlin's fans. On game day, Uncle Hans, who came to the away game, noticed Hertha fans provoking them from a distance. Even before the game started, the fans in the stands were already launching verbal attacks.

"Go back to the Bundesliga! 5-0 to you today!" "Ooooh, Berlin is blue, Hertha scored five!" "Scheiße in East Berlin! A bunch of f**kers!"

Bud and Hogan exchanged puzzled glances. "There's something wrong with their mental state," Bud said.

"Indeed, I don't know where their confidence comes from," Hogan replied.

For the past two seasons, the gap in strength between the two sides had been obvious. Hertha fans daring to provoke them was surprising. Uncle Hans patted the shoulders of Bud and Hogan.

"What are you doing in a daze? Let's make some noise!"

"The players are about to take the field. Even if it's an away game, let them hear our voice!"

Su Luo, wearing the captain's armband, led the Union Berlin players out of the tunnel. He instantly felt the "warm welcome" from the stadium.

"Go back to the East, dog!" "White trash!" "You suck!"

The Berlin Olympic Stadium is a large venue with a track, making it far from the stands. Even so, some of the insults were clearly audible, showing just how much Hertha Berlin fans hated Su Luo. Last season's 5-0 defeat was a deep humiliation. All Hertha Berlin fans were looking forward to today's revenge match.

Before the game started, Su Luo heard the boos and insults but simply raised his hands, encouraging the fans to be even louder. Duan Xuan, commentating, laughed.

"Hahahaha, this Berlin city derby is full of tension from the very beginning. Su Luo isn't affected by the boos at all; instead, he's provoking the home fans."

"Indeed, not all our Chinese players are taciturn. A young player like Su Luo needs this kind of personality and spirit!" another commentator added. "Football isn't about friendship first and competition second; football is war in a peaceful age!"

Duan Xuan, getting a bit carried away, was reminded by the director to tone it down and mention the national football team less. Su Luo's previous incident with the national team had been unpleasant and had further damaged its reputation. Duan Xuan had no choice but to focus on introducing the starting lineups on the field.

"Today, Union Berlin's main left player, Sane, is absent due to injury. The coach has paired Forsberg and Laxalt instead. Hopefully, Sane's absence won't affect the team's form."

The Hertha Berlin players worked hard, launching a fierce attack against Union Berlin from the first minute. According to Hertha coach Dardai, the current Union Berlin was a paper tiger. Apply some pressure, and they would crumble.

Fueled by hatred, Hertha Berlin started with a full-court press, hoping to stifle Union Berlin's offense. However, they underestimated Su Luo's threat! Union Berlin was under a lot of pressure in the opening 5 minutes, struggling to maintain possession in midfield. But once they adjusted to Hertha's pressing, their play became smoother, especially with Su Luo dropping back to support.

Union Berlin, like a dormant predator, suddenly sprang to life.

"Kimmich, Keita... Forsberg! Good! Quickly pass the ball to Su Luo!"

Before receiving the ball, Su Luo had already surveyed the field. There was plenty of space between Hertha's midfielders and central defenders, and the gap between the central defender and the left-back was inadequately covered.

Chance!

Ronaldo Form! Activate!

Channeling the spirit of Ronaldo, Su Luo began his performance!

"Su Luo… beautiful! A Cruyff turn instantly leaves his opponent behind!"

"He breaks through the middle! Hertha is caught off guard!"

"Step-over, past him... Strike! Su Luo dribbles past two defenders!"

"He's in!"

The Hertha Berlin players suddenly realized that this Easterner was single-handedly charging forward with fierce determination. The formation they had arranged was shattered by Su Luo's brilliance. Carrying the central defender on his back, Su Luo faced the goalkeeper and unleashed a powerful shot into the top corner.

The Hertha Berlin players felt a deep sense of powerlessness. The terror of last season's Eastern Devil was back!

"Su Luo!! Goal!"

"His forceful breakthrough has yielded miraculous results!"

"As long as Su Luo charges forward, he is unstoppable!"

"Union Berlin lead by 1 goal away!"

After scoring, Su Luo approached the home team stand and raised his index finger to his lips, signaling for silence. He knew that the best way to quiet the enemy was by scoring goals. His breakthrough goal was more effective than any taunt.

Sure enough, the stands of the Berlin Olympiastadion fell silent.

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