Chapter 104: A Fragmented Match

The match continued.

Hakan Calhanoglu led Lewokusen in launching a fierce attack!

Cologne's nine men defended the penalty area, aiming for the vital point.

From time to time, a big, strong player would surge out of the defensive line to harass Calhanoglu, using his physical advantage to bully him, keeping the fouls just within limits without actually committing a foul.

Kramer and Bender were worried about the backline defense and couldn't constantly protect Calhanoglu.

This created a vicious cycle.

The midfield was disconnected.

Lewokusen had the advantage but couldn't score!

"They had possession but couldn't turn it into threatening attacks!"

"After Cologne took the lead, they grew more relaxed; their tactics were simple and practical."

"Lewokusen needs to make adjustments and changes."

On the sidelines.

Tuopu Laotou sat back on the coach's bench, his expression hardly changing.

Dino and the coaching staff colleagues buried themselves in discussion.

Although Calhanoglu's weakness is well known in the Bundesliga, if Lewokusen can use him well, they can still ease the pressure of fighting on multiple fronts.

On the other side.

Cologne's head coach Stoeger did not let up.

He constantly directed the players' defensive positions.

The result can be poor!

The derby must not be lost!

As the match time passed.

Lewokusen actually couldn't control the midfield!

Calhanoglu was repeatedly dispossessed by Yuya Osako.

The battle gradually shifted from Cologne's penalty area back to the vicinity of the center circle.

The psychological state of Cologne's players underwent a subtle change:

Committing a foul near the penalty area, giving the opponent a free kick, would be very costly.

Committing a foul near the center circle would carry little pressure.

Yellow cards can be taken, but the mortal enemy must not be spared!

The true Bei Lai Yin derby!

It officially kicked off!

Tens of thousands of Cologne fans sang the team anthem in unison!

The joy of leading by one goal would not easily fade.

Many of them even brought marine signal flares and smoke grenades!

At any moment they could turn the Laiyin Energy Stadium into a fiery purgatory!

Hmm.

The extent of extremism among some Cologne fans is something the Borussia Mönchengladbach team bus knows well.

Whenever there was a dead-ball situation, they would not forget to provoke the few and weak Lewokusen fans.

The frenzied emotions gradually spread onto the players on the field!

Minute 15 of the match.

Calhanoglu received a teammate's pass in the forty-meter zone, preparing to advance from midfield.

A sudden, vicious sliding tackle!

It brought him completely down!

"The perpetrator" is Modeste!

A French black newcomer, wanting to earn the fans' affection at Cologne, not just rely on goals, but also need to show 'bloodiness' and 'fighting spirit' in the derby!

Beep!

The referee rushed to Modeste and produced the first yellow card of the match!

In the stands, Cologne fans instantly erupted in a wave of boos!

"This yellow card was timely, the call decisive and firm, stopping both sides from protesting!"

"Calhanoglu got up with a painful expression; last season he created a terrible incident against Cologne!"

"Things are different now; Cologne's lineup has undergone a major overhaul! They now have the wherewithal to challenge Lewokusen!"

"There's finally a hint of derby atmosphere!"

The match continued.

Time ticked by second by second.

The score remained unchanged.

Both sides' players' movements grew larger.

Kiessling, Son Heung-min, Kramer and several other main players successively suffered fouls.

Of course, as Lewokusen's on-field core, Calhanoglu suffered the worst of the abuse.

Minute 40.

Nagawaza Kazuhiro sent out a long counter-attack pass!

The ball once again fell toward Lewokusen's backfield!

Modeste leapt high, intending to pass the ball to the better-positioned Oda Yuya!

Bang!

The close-mic audio equipment transmitted a fierce melee sound!

Ben Der won the header!

The ball bounced out of bounds!

The Lewokusen captain's elbow fiercely struck the Cologne forward's cheek!

Beep!

The main referee, while running, raised the yellow card!

This yellow card is without controversy!

An excellent referee will maintain the balance of the match...

Huh?

Amidst the boos raining down.

Cologne captain Hector angrily rushed to the scene and shoved Ben Der hard.

He is a typical German grassroots player.

Having grown up in a remote small town, he was still playing in community leagues at 22, repeatedly failing trials with multiple 2. Bundesliga clubs; it was Cologne that gave him a chance.

At the Laiyin Energy Stadium, chaos reigned!

The captains of each side clashed.

The players from both sides didn't just stand there dazed; they surged forward, shoving each other!

In the stands, Cologne and Lewokusen fans also engaged in a war of words, mixed with various dialects and cultures of Bei lai yin.

At the pitchside.

Tuopu Laotou couldn't sit still; he led Dino rushing to the fourth official to protest wildly!

Stotgel isn't a pure-blood Cologne native, hasn't coached the club long, but to save face he also had to grab the nearest assistant referee to protest.

Calhanolu took a few slower steps, not knowing who from behind slammed into him hard, causing him to collapse face-down.

A sweet scent of sawdust came from his mouth.

Calhanolu's eye sockets slightly reddened.

Isn't it just that I scored five goals against you last season?

Isn't it just that I posted a photo of eating lamb chops on social media after the match?

As for targeting me like this?

A voice like the night wind, so heartbreaking it's beautiful to hear.

No!

I will pull myself together; there's no difficulty I can't overcome.

There's still the Champions League! Arsenal! I, Calhanolu, will conquer Emirates Stadium and shine across Europe!

Those who can't beat me!

Will ultimately make me stronger!

Lewokusen bench.

Brandt was leading the substitutes in trash-talking from the sidelines.

Havertz looked worried and said: 'Li, good thing the coach didn't start you... otherwise I'd worry the Cologne players couldn't withstand your punch.'

Li Kang: '...'

Pat-pat...

The bench's rain shelter suddenly emitted a violent and rapid impact sound!

The two looked up.

It was some extreme Cologne fans throwing debris!

Lighters, mineral water bottles, bananas, nail clippers, slippers... raining down like crazy on Lewokusen's bench!

Brandt and the others hurriedly scrambled back to their seats, behind the transparent glass sunshade, cursing the Cologne fans.

Europe's quality standards for bench sunshades are extremely strict; they almost didn't require bulletproof functionality.

The cause is a deeply sad incident:

In February 2009, during a match of Atlético Madrid's youth team, the bench's glass sunshade... suddenly shattered and collapsed, heavily striking the head of 9-year-old player Ribero, ultimately causing fatal injuries that never healed.

Moments later.

As the chaos on the pitch subsided.

The fans in the stands also quieted down.

The match resumed.

The players' movements became smaller, but the hostility did not ease.

From time to time someone would collapse.

The scene fell into a dull stupor.

The match became fragmented.

When the first half ended.

The referee crew felt as if a great burden had been lifted.

Dino worried: 'Boss, are we really going to put Li on? Cologne's fans and players are too savage! They're not like the softies of Barça or the Korean team!'

Tuopu Laotou picked up a beer can from the ground, lost in thought.

He slowly said:

Fertings beer? The biggest advantage of the Bundesliga is that there's no alcohol ban!

See? Cologne fans are also drinking Li Daiyan's beer! Bei lai yin's attitude toward European competitions is very consistent!

They are reasonable, they won't do extreme actions again, the match will return to its essence...

Pa!

Another empty beer can smashed onto Tuop's head!