Before the opening match of the first round of the Bundesliga, it wasn't just Chinese fans who were paying attention; the whole of Germany was watching the game. On one side was the new champion, and on the other, Bayern Munich, representing the traditional powerhouse.
Bayern had lost the championship many times, but they always won it back the following season. No one had taken the Bundesliga title from Bayern for two consecutive seasons—nobody!
So, for the new season, experts were still confident in Bayern. Beckenbauer said:
"We have strengthened our lineup this season, and the team's combat effectiveness has been comprehensively improved. We've fully integrated Guardiola's football philosophy. The Super Cup loss doesn't mean anything. We've found a way to limit Su Luo. I believe the opening game will show Bayern's true strength."
Matthaus also spoke up on Twitter:
"I won't bet this time, but I firmly believe Bayern will win. Union Berlin is strong on the outside but will crumble with one blow."
Bayern fans were confident too. For this crucial opening game, CCTV dispatched an interview team to cover it.
Hearing she was going to Berlin, Ma Fanshu volunteered for the front-line interviews, puzzling Zhang Bing, the deputy director of the sports channel.
"Xiao Ma, why are you doing this? If you want to travel to Europe, I'll grant you leave. It's so comfortable to stay here; why go out and suffer?" Zhang Bing said, reaching out to touch Ma Fanshu's shoulder, but she calmly dodged him.
If it had been before, Zhang Bing's touch wouldn't have bothered her. But after her relationship with Su Luo, she felt repulsed by the greasy man in front of her.
"It's an important game, the start of the new Bundesliga season. I'm familiar with Berlin, and it's convenient to get firsthand information," Ma Fanshu insisted, so she was allowed to go to Berlin. Only she knew the real reason for her obsession. Recently, Su Luo had been rather perfunctory in his responses to her messages. As a campus goddess during her student days, only others had pursued her. She never thought she would one day understand the mentality of those who chase after someone.
"The opening game of the 2015-16 Bundesliga season is about to start. Interestingly, the first game of the new season continues last season's championship battle!"
"Union Berlin vs. Bayern Munich!"
"Now we see Bayern Munich fans arriving for the game. Let's interview them."
A group of aggressive Bayern fans in uniforms passed by, willing to stop for an interview with a beautiful oriental reporter.
"Can you share your predictions for this game? Will the Super Cup loss make a difference?"
The Bayern fans were very confident.
"The Super Cup doesn't matter! Guardiola will win for us!"
"This time, we'll definitely beat them. I predict 5-0! Bayern 5, Egg Berlin 0!"
"More than 3-0, Bayern wins!"
"Oriental misfiring, Lewandowski hat-trick!"
Having dominated the Bundesliga for years, Bayern fans believed Bayern would quickly recover even from a temporary setback. This was the essence of a rich club. They still looked down on this newly promoted team from the bottom of their hearts.
Ma Fanshu then noticed Union Berlin fans. There was a bald uncle who weighed over 200 kilograms and a timid girl wearing a woolen hat beside him.
"What are your predictions for the opening game?" Ma Fanshu asked.
The bald man smiled and looked at the girl next to him. Her face was pale and weak, as if she had just recovered from a serious illness, but there was endless energy in her eyes.
"Well, Su Luo will lead the team to win! I think... it should be a small victory by one goal."
Beside them was a thin old man holding a photo frame tightly in his arms.
"Anya, be braver. I think it's 2-0! Su will definitely get 2! Hahahaha!"
With confident smiles, this special group of fans sang the Steel League team's song as they headed to the stadium. Watching their backs, Ma Fanshu couldn't help but feel amazed. That somewhat cynical boy in private had so many people worshiping him in a foreign country. Everywhere in Berlin, you could feel the love people had for him. Could he continue his miraculous performance in the game?
Ma Fanshu was a bit nervous. "Hey, slow down!" she called, as she sped up, leaving the cameraman behind.
Beep!
When the referee blew the whistle, Su Luo, standing in the center circle, kicked off and passed the ball back. No matter how nervous he was before the game, he always focused fully once it started.
From the first second of the game, Su Luo had already built a bird's-eye view of the entire field in his mind. It was as if he was playing a live football video game; nothing escaped his eyes. This was the passive ability of Modric + Inzaghi: Eagle Eye Perspective!
Previously, Inzaghi's ability only vaguely predicted the most threatening running routes. But with Modric's passive ability added, the field's situation became much clearer. Since drawing the "5-star" star Modric at the end of the season, Su Luo had already tested it in the Super Cup, defeating Bayern 4-1. In this game, Bayern would undoubtedly take a 100% serious approach. It was the perfect opportunity to test how much he could do in a world-class intensity confrontation with Modric + Inzaghi's passives.
Afraid of Su Luo's quick start, Bayern Munich began without pressing high. Instead, they adopted a very low posture, retreating to the front of the penalty area and using a bus-like defense to counter Union Berlin's first attack.
"At the beginning of the game, Bayern Munich is defending in the backcourt in a rare way!" Duan Xuan from CCTV 5 was surprised. He had commented on the Bundesliga for many years and had never seen Bayern show such caution against any team! Not even against Barcelona or Real Madrid had they adopted such a low profile!
"Guardiola is really afraid of Su Luo's personal ability and is not giving him any room to sprint," Duan Xuan commented.
Union Berlin's attack advanced to the frontcourt. Forsberg took the ball and looked forward, feeling an overwhelming sense of challenge. Bayern's serious defense was like a steel wall! Union Berlin, known for their counterattacks, seemed to have hit an iron plate at the start!
"Forsberg, lacking a better pass, knocks it back to Kimmich."
"Kimmich crosses to Keita... Keita passes back to Richards, Richards passes back to goalkeeper Pickford."
"Pickford takes a big kick. Su Luo leaps high and even grabs the header, keeping possession for Union Berlin."
At this point, not only Duan Xuan but also fans familiar with the Bundesliga sensed something was off. Those unfamiliar with the teams might have thought the red jersey team controlling the midfield was Bayern! In reality, Bayern, wearing their white away jerseys, was firmly defending in their backcourt, forcing Union Berlin to play a possession game!
"Mach Reiss, with limited room to break through on the right, uses his excellent foot skills to maintain possession and passes to Forsberg."
"Forsberg... wants to pass to Su Luo, but Su Luo is completely surrounded by Bayern players, with no passing lanes."
"Forced to move to the left, Sane... Sane dribbles! He passes Boateng! Keeps going..."
"Oh no! Lahm gets there just in time to break the ball out for a corner!"
"Union Berlin wins a corner in the 3rd minute..."
Looking at the situation on the field, Neuhaus found it amusing. Union Berlin had pushed Bayern to this point.
Guardiola actually abandoned his usual pass control and took a page from his rival Mourinho!
Neuhaus couldn't help but glance at Guardiola, who was standing not far away.
"This bald guy is really tough!"
Guardiola watched the developments on the pitch intently, nodding to himself.
"It seems the plan is working. Union Berlin's speed advantage is neutralized, Su Luo is trapped in the crowd, and their offense lacks potency. If we can hold them off for 15 minutes, we can wear them down. Then Bayern Munich can organize a counterattack and try to score a goal or two. In the past, our dense defense was too weak. Today, we'll show them what the defense of the Bundesliga champions looks like!"
The opening game of the Bundesliga was surprising everyone! Guardiola was actually parking the bus! But against Union Berlin, it was effective. Ten minutes into the game, Su Luo had only touched the ball once and hadn't managed a shot.
Even though Su Luo had excellent passing skills, if he moved out of the penalty area, there was no one to pass to.
On German TV, Klinsmann seriously analyzed Guardiola's tactics.
"At least for now, the Super Cup loss has made Guardiola vigilant. He temporarily changed his tactics, and it's working well. If your pass control isn't perfect, it leaves you exposed. Parking the bus might be ugly, but it works."
Commentator Simon nodded and joked:
"It's hard to imagine Guardiola adopting Mourinho's tactics. Bayern's defense is solid, like a 6-3-1 formation. Everyone is defending except Lewandowski. Even if it ends 0-0, Bayern won't lose away."
"Union Berlin pushing Bayern to this level is actually a success."
Kahn felt a bit sorry for the fans. For professionals, Guardiola's tactical changes were interesting, but for casual fans, the game was dull. There were no exciting counterattacks or brilliant plays by Su Luo. He was completely lost in Bayern's penalty area.
"Su Luo has no chances right now. He could consider taking long shots from outside the box. But... he doesn't seem inclined to leave the penalty area," remarked Xu Liang, a guest commentator for Penguin Sports.
Su Dong nodded. "Indeed, what's Su Luo thinking? He's not good at heading, so he can't score from crosses in the penalty area."
If Su Luo heard this, he might not agree.
"Who says I'm not good at heading?"
At the start, Su Luo was almost stunned by Bayern's intensive defense. Then he wanted to laugh.
"Guardiola, this is it? This is your big plan? Sorry, but I'll just use brute force!"
Seeing the ball shift to the side, Su Luo signaled his teammates for a high cross into the penalty area.
Maher Reiss was confused. "Su Luo wants to fight for a header? At 183 cm, he's surrounded by Alaba and Boateng, both nearly 1.9 meters!"
There was no choice. Since Su Luo wanted the ball, Reiss had to give it.
"Union controls on the right, Maher Reiss trying to break through? Wait, he's crossing it straight in!"
As Reiss made a 45-degree cross into the penalty area, Duan Xuan was dumbfounded. Who's going to get on the end of that? Su Luo?
Su Luo is known for not being good at headers... what the heck?
In the next second, everyone's eyes widened in shock!
Not just Duan Xuan, but commentators Su Dong and Xu Liang, Simon, Kahn, Klinsmann in Germany, and all the Bayern fans in the stadium gasped in unison!
In Bayern's penalty area, Su Luo jumped, challenging the two towering defenders beside him. He soared like a basketball player dunking, connecting with the ball and sending it crashing into the net past Neuer!
The powerful lion's header shattered Bayern's defense, silencing the audience in an instant.
4oGuardiola actually abandoned his usual pass control and took a page from his rival Mourinho!
Neuhaus couldn't help but glance at Guardiola, who was standing not far away.
"This bald guy is really tough!"
Guardiola watched the developments on the pitch intently, nodding to himself.
"It seems the plan is working. Union Berlin's speed advantage is neutralized, Su Luo is trapped in the crowd, and their offense lacks potency. If we can hold them off for 15 minutes, we can wear them down. Then Bayern Munich can organize a counterattack and try to score a goal or two. In the past, our dense defense was too weak. Today, we'll show them what the defense of the Bundesliga champions looks like!"
The opening game of the Bundesliga was surprising everyone! Guardiola was actually parking the bus! But against Union Berlin, it was effective. Ten minutes into the game, Su Luo had only touched the ball once and hadn't managed a shot.
Even though Su Luo had excellent passing skills, if he moved out of the penalty area, there was no one to pass to.
On German TV, Klinsmann seriously analyzed Guardiola's tactics.
"At least for now, the Super Cup loss has made Guardiola vigilant. He temporarily changed his tactics, and it's working well. If your pass control isn't perfect, it leaves you exposed. Parking the bus might be ugly, but it works."
Commentator Simon nodded and joked:
"It's hard to imagine Guardiola adopting Mourinho's tactics. Bayern's defense is solid, like a 6-3-1 formation. Everyone is defending except Lewandowski. Even if it ends 0-0, Bayern won't lose away."
"Union Berlin pushing Bayern to this level is actually a success."
Kahn felt a bit sorry for the fans. For professionals, Guardiola's tactical changes were interesting, but for casual fans, the game was dull. There were no exciting counterattacks or brilliant plays by Su Luo. He was completely lost in Bayern's penalty area.
"Su Luo has no chances right now. He could consider taking long shots from outside the box. But... he doesn't seem inclined to leave the penalty area," remarked Xu Liang, a guest commentator for Penguin Sports.
Su Dong nodded. "Indeed, what's Su Luo thinking? He's not good at heading, so he can't score from crosses in the penalty area."
If Su Luo heard this, he might not agree.
"Who says I'm not good at heading?"
At the start, Su Luo was almost stunned by Bayern's intensive defense. Then he wanted to laugh.
"Guardiola, this is it? This is your big plan? Sorry, but I'll just use brute force!"
Seeing the ball shift to the side, Su Luo signaled his teammates for a high cross into the penalty area.
Maher Reiss was confused. "Su Luo wants to fight for a header? At 183 cm, he's surrounded by Alaba and Boateng, both nearly 1.9 meters!"
There was no choice. Since Su Luo wanted the ball, Reiss had to give it.
"Union controls on the right, Maher Reiss trying to break through? Wait, he's crossing it straight in!"
As Reiss made a 45-degree cross into the penalty area, Duan Xuan was dumbfounded. Who's going to get on the end of that? Su Luo?
Su Luo is known for not being good at headers... what the heck?
In the next second, everyone's eyes widened in shock!
Not just Duan Xuan, but commentators Su Dong and Xu Liang, Simon, Kahn, Klinsmann in Germany, and all the Bayern fans in the stadium gasped in unison!
In Bayern's penalty area, Su Luo jumped, challenging the two towering defenders beside him. He soared like a basketball player dunking, connecting with the ball and sending it crashing into the net past Neuer!
The powerful lion's header shattered Bayern's defense, silencing the audience in an instant.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you've liked my work so far and would like to support me, your contribution would be greatly appreciated. since this is labor work and I'm not receiving any payment. your support means a lot to me to continue this fanfic. even a small amount, like 10rs. can make a significant difference.
Please consider using UPI id divyrajsinhsodha5167@ybl
Or you can visit my Patreon page:
patreon.com/PhoeniXcel
patreon have 14+ advanced chapters for you guys
Your help will be greatly appreciated.