Chapter 69 Spider-Man's Gatekeeping Is Useless! This Ball Must Be Scored!

Playing against strong teams is really enjoyable. Only in top competitions and confrontations can we grow faster. This game against Bayern is worth ten regular league matches.

Of course, there's a challenge when playing against strong teams. Not all teammates are as confident as I am and can gain momentum from tough confrontations. Some, like defender Ejman, struggle under pressure and eventually collapse.

From the slow-motion replay of the penalty in the first half, it's clear that Ejman's legs did touch Gotze's, but Gotze's fall was exaggerated. Ejman's actions were unintentional and didn't constitute a foul. Who knew Gotze would resort to such tricks?

When the teams returned to the locker rooms at halftime with the score at 1-2, Neuhaus was still comforting Ejman.

"Don't worry, you did a great job. Don't take this penalty to heart," Neuhaus reassured him.

Ejman, who usually plays in the lower leagues, was doing his best against Bayern. He successfully helped stop multiple attacks from Gotze, Lewandowski, and Muller. If it had been another backup defender like the towering Stuff, the defense would have crumbled.

Neuhaus had also benched Richards due to long-term injuries and psychological issues, which had made the team's defense unstable in previous games. Despite Ejman's shortcomings, he was reliable.

"Can we hold out in the second half?" Guardiola pondered in the visitors' locker room, his eyes scanning his players.

Despite leading, the Bayern players sat quietly, anxious under Guardiola's gaze. No one had made any obvious mistakes, except perhaps Gotze. Bayern had dominated the first half with nearly 90% possession, yet they struggled to make effective threats with only two goals from 11 shots.

"Mario, stay focused," Guardiola said, addressing Gotze, whose individual play had lacked cooperation.

"Hmm," Gotze responded, suppressing his frustration.

"Frank, warm up well. You'll play in the second half," Guardiola instructed.

"Got it, Pep," Ribery replied calmly, his presence bringing a sense of reassurance to the team.

Meanwhile, in the VIP stands, Taylor Swift was chatting with Jaiko, a club staffer and fellow fan.

"Taylor, can I call you that? Are you really Su's friend?" Jaiko asked.

"Yeah," Taylor smiled. "He did great today, didn't he?"

"Yes, he's our king now," Jaiko said.

Taylor looked at Su Luo, who was being cheered by over 20,000 fans. She was amazed at how much he had grown since they first met, and she couldn't help but feel excited about his future.

As the second half began, Su Luo stepped onto the field amid cheers of "Lord!" from the Iron League fans, including Josephine and little Anya.

"Oh, we see that Gotze has been substituted. Ribery is taking his place," Duan Xuan noted as the broadcast resumed.

"Perhaps Gotze didn't follow tactics well in the first half," Xu Yang suggested.

"Franck Ribery brings rich experience and excellent physical fitness. At 31, he's still a significant threat," Duan Xuan added.

The second half kicked off, and Union Berlin attempted a steady attack, transitioning to the wings under Bayern's pressure. Forsberg handed the ball to Laxalt, who advanced quickly and delivered an inverted triangle pass to Su Luo.

"Su Luo rushes forward!"

Boateng, Lahm, Dante, and Xavi Alonso converged on Su Luo, trying to prevent him from shooting. Instead, Su Luo deliberately slipped, allowing the ball to reach Sabitzer, who was unmarked.

"Sabitzer shoots from the top of the box!"

Neuer, nicknamed "Spiderman," jumped and barely managed to tip the ball out with his fingertips.

"Manuel Neuer!" Duan Xuan exclaimed.

The Bayern players sighed in relief as they had narrowly escaped a goal. Boateng rushed over and kissed Neuer in gratitude, while Sabitzer held his head in regret.

"It's okay, Marcel. Let's try again," Su Luo comforted Sabitzer, maintaining his role as the team's spiritual leader.

The attack served as a warning to Bayern, making them more cautious. Both teams then entered a stalemate.

Suddenly, Bayern sped up their play. Xavi Alonso sent a direct pass to Müller, who found a gap and passed to Ribery. Ejman, hesitant due to his yellow card, was no match for Ribery, who decisively scored.

"Ribery scores! The away team Bayern Munich extends their lead to 3-1!" Duan Xuan announced. "Union Berlin suffers another blow!"

The home team fans fell silent once again. Every time Su Luo made a significant play, the defense faltered, giving back any advantage gained. However, the defenders had done their best; it was Bayern Munich's overwhelming strength and pressure that was too much.

Ejman collapsed to the ground, his eyes glazed over, overwhelmed by the challenge of facing a world-class team. Neuhaus shook his head and quickly called Richards from the bench.

"Mika, you warmed up earlier. Hurry up, you're going in," Neuhaus instructed.

"Me?" Richards was surprised. Did the coach really trust him?

"Yes, why are you standing there? Get changed quickly!"

"Oh, right!"

Although Richards hadn't fully regained his confidence, he knew he had to step up. He pushed aside the memories of his ups and downs at Manchester City. The team was behind, and they needed him now. Seeing Su Luo still fighting at the front, Richards couldn't back down. He finally mustered the courage to replace the dazed Ejman.

"Manchester City's former player Richards is coming off the bench. To be honest, his performance in the first two rounds wasn't great," Duan Xuan commented.

"Ejman was already on a yellow card and hesitant. He conceded the goal, so this is the only option," Xu Yang added.

Duan Xuan felt pessimistic about Union Berlin's chances. They were being thoroughly outplayed, and Su Luo's efforts seemed in vain.

Chinese fans shared their disappointment online.

"Su Luo is playing really well, but his teammates are letting him down."

"It's rare to see a Chinese player carrying the whole team. It's a shame he can't do it all."

Despite the challenges, fans were thrilled to see such a performance against Bayern. They hoped Union Berlin would at least secure a mid-table finish in the Bundesliga, ensuring more opportunities to watch Su Luo next season.

In the VIP stands, Josephine felt the fans' despair. Having grown fond of the team through her time with Su Luo, she wanted to lift their spirits. Before she could act, little Anya spoke up sweetly:

"Dad, we should make more noise now. We need to bounce back!"

Hans nodded, encouraged by his daughter's words.

"Yes, exactly! Come on, everyone, let's support our team!"

"Let's pass on our strength to the players!"

"This is our home! Don't give up until the last moment!"

On the pitch, Su Luo and captain Matuschka were rallying the team.

"Don't give up! The game isn't over yet. We still have a chance!" Su Luo urged.

"Fight to the last moment!" Matuschka echoed.

Initially dazed, the teammates suddenly heard passionate singing from the North Stand. The singing spread quickly, filling the stadium with a powerful energy.

More than 20,000 fans united, creating a roar louder than 80,000 people. Their black and white photos and red scarves waved in unison. Promoted to the Bundesliga, they fought every match with the spirit of their deceased loved ones.

The players on the field felt a surge of strength. Their hearts beat with renewed vigor. Su Luo felt moved by the fans' unwavering support. This was the essence of football, and he knew he was in the right place.

"Eisern Union!" Su Luo shouted, raising his arms.

"Eisern Union!!" The team responded in unison.

Morale restored, the fight continued. Bayern, now leading 3-1, played more cautiously, trying to maintain possession and avoid giving Union Berlin any chances.

The game reached the 70th minute. Neuhaus gritted his teeth and made another change, replacing captain Matuschka with "Shaker" Jack Grealish. Forsberg moved to attacking midfield, shifting to a 4-2-3-1 formation.

"Union Berlin is stepping up their offense, giving it their all," Duan Xuan observed.

"Yes, they have no choice but to fight for the win," Xu Yang agreed.

Grealish's entry sharpened Union Berlin's counterattacks. He combined well with Su Luo, repeatedly attacking Bayern's right flank.

"Beautiful! Union Berlin strikes back!" Duan Xuan exclaimed.

"Grealish easily bypasses Robben! Passes to Su Luo!"

"Su Luo! Dribbling, shooting! He passes Lahm! Facing Alonso, shoots to the left!"

"Grealish is completely open! Takes the ball into the penalty area!"

"Dodges Boateng, faces Dante... inverts the pass!"

"Su Luo!!"

Under the desperate gazes of the Bayern players, Su Luo charged forward, feeling a surge of clarity and confidence. With all his frustration channeled into one powerful shot, the ball rocketed into the net.

"Good shot! It's in!" Duan Xuan yelled.

"Grealish and Su Luo combined beautifully, and Su Luo finishes with a stunning shot! 2-3! Union Berlin is still in it!"

"Nice!!" Xu Yang shouted, echoing the fans' excitement.

Chinese fans across the country cheered, the joy piercing the night skies of communities and college dormitories. The stadium erupted in a sea of red, the fans' support unwavering.

"Lord!" "Lord!" "Lord!" they chanted.

After high-fiving Grealish, Su Luo grabbed the ball and ran back to the kick-off point, ready to continue the fight. Bayern, momentarily stunned, tried to regain control, but Su Luo quickly stole the ball from Müller and sent a precise curve ball into the penalty area.

Grealish, unmarked, received the ball and, with no defenders around, shot powerfully into the net. Less than a minute after Su Luo's goal, the score was now 3-3.

"What just happened?" Duan Xuan was amazed.

Union Berlin had equalized against all odds, and the game was far from over.

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