Stunning Performance
"Our team has performed well on all fronts this season. Even though Heynckes is retiring, this coach hasn't relaxed in managing the team. The team's performance is soaring high now!"
In Weser Stadium's VIP box, as Bayern Munich dominated Werder Bremen on the field, the club's manager, Hoeness, began boasting to the club president, Rummenigge, about their team's achievements.
While most credit goes to Heynckes for the team's success, Hoeness, as the club manager, played a crucial role in player transfers and overall support for the team.
Rummenigge nodded in approval, complementing, "Good job, but we mustn't become complacent. Our ultimate goal is to win the Champions League. Winning the league is just a warm-up. You need to be clear about this!"
Since taking over Bayern Munich ten years ago, Rummenigge's biggest dream has been leading Bayern back to the top in Europe.
Their lackluster performance in Europe over the past decade, despite reaching the finals twice, has been disheartening. For a prestigious club like Bayern, without enough Champions League trophies, their influence in European football doesn't match that of top clubs like Real Madrid or Manchester United.
For a German giant like Bayern, this reality is hard to accept.
"Yes, Mr. President, both Heynckes and I are aware of this," Hoeness affirmed.
This season, with Borussia Dortmund's decline and other teams posing no threat to Bayern Munich, the league became a training ground for their European battles.
Heynckes repeatedly tested new tactics in the league before implementing them in the Champions League.
Rummenigge nodded, shifting his gaze back to the field.
He scanned the Bayern front line, including Ribery, Muller, Kroos, Schweinsteiger, whom he greatly admired.
Coupled with the star players on the bench, with this core group, Bayern could likely build a powerful dynasty.
Unfortunately, Heynckes was retiring; had he not retired, if Bayern won the Champions League this season, their dynasty would have been secured.
However, Guardiola was also a world-class coach. His arrival might further enrich the team's tactical prowess, elevating their strength.
Thinking about this, Rummenigge recalled the young player he had earmarked as a token gesture to Guardiola.
He scanned the field, quickly locking onto Werder Bremen's number 10 player.
This guy, he's truly made a name for himself in the Bundesliga over the past while!
Back when at the Allianz Stadium, Rummenigge thought he might succeed Robben and Ribery in the future, so he took an interest in Lin.
Now, after five rounds of the Bundesliga, he had been pleasantly surprised by him.
His strong breakthrough ability, efficient goal-scoring, mature mindset, and versatile skills—all qualities possessed by top-tier superstars—were all present in him.
This made him even more convinced that this young man was the perfect choice for Bayern's future on the wings.
Ribery is 29 this year, and Robben is 28.
They don't have many years left, but Lin is only 16 this year.
In five or six years, when Ribery and Robben retire, he will have grown up perfectly to take over!
With this thought in mind, Rummenigge smiled, even harboring a strange sense of anticipation:
He wanted to see if, in this game, the opponent could score again against Bayern, just like they did at the Allianz Stadium before!
Just as he had this thought, a sudden change occurred on the field.
Ribery's breakthrough was intercepted, and Werder Bremen launched a swift counterattack.
Seeing Lin sprinting with the ball, Hoeness ended his non-stop boasting.
He widened his eyes, instinctively stood up, stretched his neck to look at the field, his eyes filled with concern and shock.
A familiar sense of déjà vu welled up in his heart:
Where had he seen this scenario before?
Rummenigge, too, was engrossed. He saw Lin deftly bypassing the advancing Badstuber, delivering a precise pass to his teammate, and swiftly darting into the penalty area, catching the ball at an unexpected spot.
One-on-one!
Without any suspense, Lin once again outplayed his opponent, shooting the ball into the net!
Rummenigge closed his eyes, his mind replaying every frame of this attack in slow motion.
The opponent's breakthrough, passing vision, movement without the ball, and the final shot—all left him spellbound.
That guy's style isn't flashy at all; he hasn't been seen with any fancy dribbles or tricks. Just simple moves have made Bayern's defense restless.
Moreover, unlike last time, the opponent was smarter this time. He passed to a teammate and then made a clever run without the ball to elude the defenders, which impressed Rummenigge.
He felt that compared to the last time he saw the opponent at the Allianz Stadium, this time the opponent had improved!
A player like this must be brought to the Allianz Stadium! Thinking of this, Rummenigge suddenly opened his eyes, turning to Hoeness next to him, who was still recovering from the shock of losing the goal, and said:
"Send someone to Barcelona to find out this kid's contract details. If the buyout clause isn't high, as soon as the winter transfer window opens, make an offer to Barcelona!"
It's frustrating that it's not the transfer window now; otherwise, he would want to bring Lin back to Bayern.
By the time the winter break arrives after half of the Bundesliga matches have been played, who knows how many teams will be keeping an eye on this kid.
When the time comes for Bayern to buy, it may require a fierce battle! But Rummenigge isn't too worried, as he's close to finalizing a deal with Guardiola, the kid's current caretaker.
Having Guardiola around increases the chances of enticing him from Barcelona using the family card.
Hmm? Something seems off? Initially buying Lin was to use him as leverage to attract Guardiola, but now Guardiola seems to have become the leverage instead? ... On the field, Neuer lay on the ground, frustratedly pounding the grass with his hands.
So close, just a tiny bit short! He guessed the direction right, but the opponent's angle was just too tricky. He leaped with full force but only managed to touch the ball with his fingertips, unable to stop it from flying into the net.
How many times is this now?
Neuer looked at the guy who sprinted to the sidelines, performing a somersault celebration, feeling a bitter taste in his heart. This is the fourth time he's lost to this guy!
It must be that I'm not strong enough! If I become a bit stronger, I won't let the opponent score so easily next time!
Thinking this, Neuer stood up, his eyes no longer lost! He decided that once back, he would practice even harder. Next time they meet, he absolutely won't let the opponent score again! At the Weser Stadium, fans erupted into an unimaginable roar the moment Lin scored.
Werder Bremen fans were overjoyed! Even though they came to support their team, they didn't hold much hope in their hearts.
Bayern's strength is well known throughout the Bundesliga.
So, many had prepared themselves for the team to lose.
But to everyone's surprise, the team was actually leading!
"This kid is truly our lucky charm!"
"Hahaha, with him around, our home ground hasn't lost a game yet. Bayern, Bayern, what's that!"
"You're right, Bayern is just that. We've defeated them even in their away games; returning home is even easier!" Fans were both excited and thrilled, singing out loud, with some even starting to compose songs for Lin on the spot.
In the commentary box, Beckman and the other commentators were left in disbelief at Lin's goal.
"The mighty Bayern surely didn't expect such a tough resistance at the Weser Stadium. Werder Bremen's number 10 pulled off a brilliant long-distance run, scoring a goal that could change the game. Will this match end the Bundesliga giants' winning streak?"
Beckman couldn't hide his excitement, while Marco beside him couldn't stop smiling.
"Hehe, I've always said that Bayern isn't undefeatable!"
On the other hand, Gerd Muller frowned, seemingly unable to accept this setback.
Beckman quickly tried to comfort him; after all, he was a legend in German football. They didn't want to upset the elderly, or who would dare to appear on their show in the future?
Gerd Muller waved his hand: "I'm not that fragile, just thinking, if Werder Bremen's number 10 were put in Bayern's lineup, how to make good use of him?"
Beckman and Marco looked at each other in silence. It seemed he was still eager to poach Werder Bremen's star player?