Chapter 24 Fleeting Emotions

The chaotic emotions contained within the fragmented module vanished in an instant.

Li Kang glanced at the achievement panel.

"Number Nine and a Half" remained unchanged.

The cartoon avatars of Baggio, Piero, and Platini flickered with faint light, but the fragmented module didn't fill in the last imprint of Maradona.

No need to rush.

The *Numero Nove e Mezzo* (Number Nine and a Half) is no longer suitable for this era, and even less suitable for a powerhouse aiming for "long-term" and "multi-faceted operations."

The shortcomings are obvious: slow pace, a single method of advancing, and affects the team's tactical changes.

It's 2017 now, and this princess-like playing style would infuriate the coaching staff.

Only the national team has fertile ground for the *Numero Nove e Mezzo*.

For example: like a goalkeeper of Ochoa's caliber, he's a god in the national team, but concedes 89 goals in a season at the club!

However...

There is an exception, and that is Atlético Madrid!

In all of Europe, only Simeone likes the *Numero Nove e Mezzo* now, and he's the only one who uses it best: a forward spearhead + a withdrawn striker + a *Numero Nove e Mezzo*.

Atlético Madrid's own team-building framework is: the eternal 4-4-2 divine formation.

The *Colchoneros*' divine formation is naturally suited to the *Numero Nove e Mezzo* who "takes into account certain defensive responsibilities."

Li Kang certainly has no chance to work with Simeone.

But Atlético Madrid's two young players, Saúl and Koke, have grown up under this framework, and they know how to clean up after the "Number Nine and a Half."

That night.

News about Barcelona's 1:7 loss to Chelsea in the Champions League quickly went viral.

A dazzling 12-minute highlight reel thrilled fans.

At the beginning of the season, fans' attention to the Champions League far exceeded friendlies, minor cup competitions, and league matches.

They suddenly realized... this Chelsea team was terrifying.

The suppression in attack.

The efficiency of the advance.

The strangulation and assistance in defense.

Like a blue beast without weaknesses.

《Beckenbauer: A Football Emperor Will Be Born at Chelsea.》

The next morning.

Tuchel believed that players needed to balance their emotions and family life in order to have a better state in the game.

So he gave everyone a vacation in advance.

The schedule wasn't too tight, and the club's top management unanimously agreed to the decision.

The Premier League's "Mental Health Awareness Week" has been around for twenty years, and the suicide cases of former players have made clubs pay attention to the players' mental state.

For example, Lingard, who is falling into a low point in his life: his grandfather, who taught him to play football since he was a child, has cancer, his grandmother is facing amputation, his mother suffers from severe depression, and he has to take care of his 13-year-old brother, 10-year-old sister, and his newborn daughter.

The former Great British star, the English Iniesta, has gradually become a laughing stock online due to his recent poor performance on the field.

Taking advantage of the holiday, Li Kang and his assistant returned to North Rhine.

Leverkusen base.

Friends and relatives greeted them warmly.

Sofia's foster mother was not seen; she had returned to Madrid to visit relatives.

Teacher Berent excitedly described the interesting things that happened at the Leverkusen club.

"Völler is going to be a grandfather again."

"That guy Toppmöller is revered as a world-class coach in Japan, giving football lectures and guiding youth training there."

"Havertz has grown to one meter ninety-three, a head taller than you."

"Brandt is getting fat again!"

"..."

Everyone chatted from afternoon until night.

Early the next morning.

Li Kang, Havertz, Brandt, and others went to Sankt Goarshausen.

The Rhine River fireworks display has been held for more than 60 years.

《Rhine in Flames》.

Like the "Balls Festival," the meaning of the event is: to send off summer.

As the sun set.

The river reflected the colorful lights.

Li Kang and his companions sat on a brightly decorated ship, admiring the fireworks extravaganza.

The crackling sound of fireworks echoed the music on the riverbank.

Havertz put a jacket on him, smiling brightly: "It gets cold here at night."

Brandt took a box of chocolates out of his backpack.

"Can't eat anymore..."

"Just this last one!"

In most cases, boys prefer to play with boys.

The holiday was coming to an end.

Li Kang made a special trip to Gelsenkirchen.

Claudia looked good, not as thin as before.

One listened, the other spoke.

Time slowly passed.

As dusk descended, Gelsenkirchen outside the floor-to-ceiling windows became more and more prosperous.

Creating a sharp contrast with the quiet warmth inside the window.

Bang bang bang!

When Claudia talked about happy things, she couldn't help but pound the armrest of her wheelchair.

Li Kang: "..."

He had been worried about her health, but now it seemed he had been overthinking it.

The trip to North Rhine ended.

Li Kang and his assistant returned to London.

Energy was full.

He and Claudia didn't have too many stories, let alone any intimate contact.

Chelsea still faces many challenges.

The situation for winning the World Cup is very serious.

Can't put time and energy into dating.

Must be self-disciplined.

Premier League, Round 5.

Li Kang and his teammates traveled to the banks of the River Trent.

Chelsea is playing Stoke City away.

Since 2008, the Blues have only lost one game against the Potters.

The two seem to have an antagonistic relationship.

The home fans still had some expectations for this game: because Stoke City's boss suddenly had great ambitions this year and signed many strong players.

Players' tunnel.

Morata and his former youth team partner, Jesé, embraced excitedly.

They were once the twin stars of Real Madrid's youth training, praised by fans as the future of the Bernabéu.

Unfortunately, it didn't last long.

One wandered, the other was seriously injured.

The fate of their careers is completely different.

At the front of the queue.

Choupo-Moting patted Li Kang's butt—a friendly Bundesliga greeting culture.

Li Kang smiled, he naturally remembered this Schalke 04 fierce general.

It's a pity that Choupo-Moting's childhood was too long. After his contract with the Miners expired, no one wanted him in the summer transfer window. Fortunately, Stoke City offered a helping hand before the summer transfer window closed - and as a result, they found a treasure!

After landing in the Premier League, this little black egg suddenly became enlightened, scoring two goals and providing four assists in four league games!

The game was extremely intense.

18th minute.

Willian broke through on the right, dribbling past two defenders in a row, and unleashed a powerful shot from a small angle near the baseline in the penalty area!

Goalkeeper Butland was powerless.

0:1!

32nd minute of the game.

Hazard broke through from the left and when he reached the edge of the box, he suddenly laid the ball off to the side, and Li Kang finished it off with one kick.

0:2!

43rd minute of the game.

Hazard once again twisted and turned, ignoring Morata's call for the ball, and once again set up the cannon.

Li Kang scored twice.

0:3!

Going crazy.

Assistant coach Dino looked incredulous: How could it be so easy?

Another massacre?

Tuchel sat in the coaching seat, writing and drawing, and began to analyze Tottenham's game.

The coaching staff also substituted Li Kang in the 70th minute of the second half to prepare for White Hart Lane in advance.

Stoke City still couldn't defend their home dignity.

In the end.

Stoke City 0:6 Chelsea.

A terrifying blue storm swept the Premier League.