Chapter 1 After Returning to Leverkusen

Back in Leverkusen.

Li Kang didn't watch the game replay; instead, he seized the time to train.

How to play against Arsenal?

The famous Premier League coaches had already provided the answers, so he just needed to copy their homework.

Especially Southampton, their coaching staff’s tactical analysis was the most professional and didn't require particularly high player ability.

If he couldn't copy the homework, it meant that Arsenal at this time... were invincible.

Arsène Wenger's tactical framework hadn't changed much in recent years, but the players' characteristics were very distinct. Sánchez and Cazorla both had the ability to change the game.

Especially Sánchez, his body was super strong, and his center of gravity was much lower than his own.

There was still some time before the 1/8 knockout round.

Leverkusen still had to face the test of the league.

............

Four days later.

The Bundesliga match day arrived.

Leverkusen was about to face a series of away games.

The opponent in the ninth round was Cologne, the North Rhine rival!

In recent years, the friction between the two teams had been unusually frequent and increasingly intense.

In the 2009 World Cup qualifiers, "Cologne Prince" Podolski slapped Ballack in the face! Embarrassing the German team in front of the world.

That year, Ballack was still the soul of Leverkusen.

In the 2010 Rhine derby, Cologne players returned to the locker room after the game and found their belongings had been looted, believing the thieves were Leverkusen fans!

In 2012, a Leverkusen player was enjoying the local customs in Cologne when he was beaten up by Cologne fans.

There were too many off-field friction incidents.

Making each reunion between the two clubs on the field particularly intense!

.....

On the training ground.

Dino had just finished reading out the starting lineup.

Then he pulled old man Toppmöller aside and whispered:

"Boss! After discussion, the coaching staff unanimously believes that in this game, we should protect Li! Let Çalhanoğlu start!"

"Hmm, you have a point."

Dino hesitated and continued to ask, "Boss, Cologne's offense is very strong this season. They brought in a very efficient striker, Modeste! If the situation isn't right..."

Old man Toppmöller waved his hand: "It doesn't matter, I'll send Li out."

...

Three o'clock in the afternoon.

Li Kang and his teammates took the club bus to Cologne.

The distance between the two clubs was about 20 kilometers.

The journey was short.

Most of the teammates were resting with their eyes closed.

Çalhanoğlu kept grabbing members of the coaching staff to discuss tactical details.

Although he had many flaws, he was still very active in preparing for the game when acting as the midfield core.

"Cologne's defensive details are much stronger than Dortmund's. They realize the weakness of their defenders' slow turning, so the defense line is arranged relatively far back!"

"The distance between the midfield line and the defense line is very short, so we can't penetrate through the middle!"

"But don't worry, everyone, I will defeat them!"

Dino was a little confused. He felt that the other party had said a lot, but it was like he hadn't said anything.

Çalhanoğlu returned to his seat.

Looking at the incredibly magnificent Cologne Cathedral towers outside the window.

He couldn't help but clench his fists secretly.

I will be reborn like a phoenix on the west bank of the North Rhine!

.........

As the bus drove into the city, the speed gradually slowed down.

Li Kang looked curiously at the ragged people on the street, some old and some young.

His teammates also couldn't imagine that such a wealthy city would have such a difficult scene.

Kramer said, "They aren't residents here. This September, North Rhine has seen an influx of hundreds of thousands of..."

Havertz frowned and interrupted, "Not hundreds of thousands, but hundreds of thousands... Anyway, my family said not to run around recently and to pay more attention to safety."

Brandt patted his chest: "The safest place is still the dormitory. There are more than a dozen security guards with electric batons!"

Everyone laughed.

"Bayer Group and Leverkusen are the safest places in North Rhine!"

......

The club bus slowly drove into RheinEnergieStadion.

This stadium was renovated according to Premier League standards.

The style was very similar to Old Trafford.

"Damn it, what's that stinky smell?"

"Boss! It's sheep poop. I used to herd sheep when I was a kid!"

As soon as everyone got off the bus, they saw Cologne staff leading a ram wearing a red vest.

Cologne's mascot isn't a cartoon doll, but a live goat named Hennes VIII, who is nine years old this year. He lives more comfortably than people. The club bought several female goats to accompany him.

Leverkusen's mascot is the lion Brian. In the 1950s, a senior executive of the club proposed buying a live lion, but the proposal wasn't approved due to Bayer Group's intervention.

..........

Pre-match press conference.

A reporter asked, "Mr. Toppmöller, I'm a reporter from *Ruhr Nachrichten*. You haven't included Li Kang in the starting lineup for two consecutive games! Is it because of the winter break transfer..."

Old man Toppmöller's face darkened. He hated this kind of provocative question the most.

"I haven't heard any news about his transfer during the winter break. It's a rumor! Li is only 17 years old this year, and the club should focus on protecting him. Messi also suffered a serious injury when he played for Barcelona's first team at the age of 17!"

"What do you mean? I'm not comparing Li to Messi, you lying reporters!"

"Li will return to the starting lineup in the next game. The coaching staff will arrange everything, so you toilet paper newspapers don't need to worry!"

On the other side.

Cologne coach Stöger was praising his own super striker.

"Modeste has the strength to compete for the Bundesliga Golden Boot!"

"He's the most comprehensive frontline killer I've ever seen!"

"Leverkusen will see how terrifying he is!"

......

RheinEnergieStadion.

The four stands were filled with restless and intense atmosphere.

Countless scarlet and extreme slogans were raised high!

Fireworks that ignited from time to time, accompanied by various angry curses, demonstrated Cologne fans' welcome to their arch-rivals!

"Hennes VIII" walked around the stadium, like a king inspecting his territory.

In the player tunnel.

Cologne players all looked fierce.

Çalhanoğlu felt a little freaked out by being stared at.

Last season, he led Leverkusen to a 5-1 victory over Cologne at home.

But now the opponent's player lineup has undergone a major change!

Why do they still hate me so much?

Bellarabi tightly closed his mouth. He had to choose who to trash talk to.

Either established stars like Alves who pay attention to their image!

Or skinny young players like Lingard and Weigl!

This group of thugs from Cologne... forget it.

.......

"Ctv5! Ctv5! Good evening, viewers!"

"Welcome to the ninth round of the 2015/16 Bundesliga season!"

"Cologne vs. Leverkusen at home!"

"This is a fiery North Rhine derby!"

"I'm the commentator for this game, Duan Xuan!"

"Below, I will introduce the starting lineups of both teams!"

"Cologne, wearing white jerseys, is lining up in a 4-4-2 formation!"

"Goalkeeper: Horn!"

"Left back: Risse!"

"Center backs: Heintz, Maroh!"

"Right back: Hector!"

"Double defensive midfielders: Vogt, Nagasawa Kazuki!"

"Central midfielder: Bittencourt, Osako Yuya!"

"Forwards: Modeste, Hosiner!"